JULY 20, 2011

The Parrot’s Perch book released, movie soon to be cast

Author is Karen Keilt of Carefree

the parrots perch bookThe book, The Parrot’s Perch, was released the end of June and casting for the movie is soon to begin. Based on a true story, this international thriller about torture and corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement takes place in the seemingly tranquil upper-class world of two American families living in sexy, lush, Samba-soothed Brazil.

Rogue American DEA agents "Red" Tucker and his partner Jack Kelly find a wealthy mark at Harvard and arrest him, then follow the arrogant student-turned-drug dealer home to Brazil.

In Rio de Janeiro well-to-do bother and sister, Freddy and Catlin Lauria are headed down diverging paths. Freddy is a ne'er do well Ivy Leaguer caught up in the treacherous, violent world of drugs and addiction, and seething in anger over a perceived slight from his father. Catlin is on the road to Olympic fame and a happily-ever-after life with her high-society fiancé in the sparkling bright world of world-class show jumping.

Disaster strikes when their worlds collide and Catlin is put to the test of ultimate survival. From Harvard to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, the action is hard and fast. As two families struggle to save the Olympic equestrienne and her husband from a fate worse than death, the Parrot's Perch becomes a reality no one wants to believe.

parrot's perch movie poster
On April 30, 2010, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled to uphold a 1979 law stating that crimes committed by members of the military regime were political acts and therefore covered by amnesty. That law remains in place today. The Court's ruling makes it clear that the Amnesty Law violates Brazil's international obligations and that it represents an obstacle in the search for truth.

Amnesty International has condemned the Brazilian Supreme Court's blocking of this recent reinterpretation of the 1979 Amnesty Law that protects members of the former military government from being put on trial for extrajudicial killings, torture and rape.

"The ruling places a judicial stamp of approval on the pardons extended to those in the military government who committed crimes against humanity," said Tim Cahill, Amnesty International's Brazil researcher.  

In April 2010, Mr. Cahill went on to say, "In a country that sees thousands of extra-judicial killings every year at the hands of security officials and where many more are tortured in police stations and prisons, this ruling clearly signals that in Brazil nobody is held responsible when the state kills and tortures its own citizens."

In 2014 Brazil will host The World Cup, followed soon after by the 2016 Summer Olympics. It is the author's sincere hope the newly elected President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff will use all the powers of her office to put an end to torture and corruption once and for all.

Born and educated in Sao Paulo, Brasil, Karen Keilt moved to the United States at the age of 27. Karen has enjoyed an eclectic career including Riding Master and General Manager of a men's pro hockey franchise though she always gravitated back to her love of writing; first as a newspaper columnist in South Carolina, and later writing four screenplays including: "The Parrot's Perch", "Bethebotu", a children's fantasy about pink dolphins and mermaids, "The Gnashing of Teeth", an adaptation of the coming-of-age novel by James Raymond about the Korean War and "Maracanazo", a wonderful story about two young men from different worlds both dreaming of winning the World Cup. Karen enjoys traveling, hiking, Anusara Yoga, amateur photography, and horseback riding and lives in Carefree, Ariz. with her husband and their dog Curly Canyon Dog.