"City Of Motherly Love" which also stars Natalie Paige Bentley, is her most compelling, controversial, and intense piece of work showcasing the aftermath of a violent crime committed by a thirteen year old boy and the destruction of lives after such acts. The film has triggered intense interest from Natalie's ethereal yet dark filmmaking style that has yet again captivated her audience leaving them with a jaw-dropping end.

Her performance is gut wrenching and heart aching to watch and when you see her physical transformation on screen it takes a second look to realize that behind Bentley's lead character Ashley, a frail, mousey brown haired, working class single mother from Philadelphia, is really none other then the piercing blue eyed, platinum blonde, yes, bombshell, Natalie Paige Bentley herself. With her Bentley trademark smile, "I'm just an ordinary girl from the borough of Malvern so the bombshell part I don't get but yes it was a big transformation for me and it was an exhaustingly sad shoot that tortured me more then I'd ever like to admit. I internally suffer with my characters but it was essential to portray Ashley."  When asked about the conception of the story Bentley reflected, "The film was truly a dark process for me on so many levels and as an artist it's hard to not have that reflected in your work. For me the story isn't just about a crime it's a story about loss, about love, about feeling truly alone when your heart has been ripped out and the choices we make when we are on that path in life. When I wrote the story it had nothing to do with the death of a child it was just a metaphor for a terribly loss that has always plagued me."

When asked about the significance of the title “City Of Motherly Love” one can’t help but to notice the similarity to our own City Of Brotherly Love. Bentley’s response, “Philadelphia being ranked as the number one murder capital in the United Sates definitely had a role to play in the story but it was also about a single mother who’s loss is virtually eating her alive, a broken hearted young woman on so many levels left alone in the city of Philadelphia. I shot the film throughout Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware & Montgomery County. The film really embodies Philadelphia. There’s no other place I’d rather be making films.”

In conjunction with the film, Bentley has also wrapped on directing and producing the film's music video for the featured song "Time" from the soundtrack to the film from billboard artist Jayy Mannon, former Familiar 48 frontman, who also stars in the film. "The music video became an extension of the story. Something that was so beautifully shot really reflects in such a hauntingly dark way for the characters and really brought the film to another level. Seems to always be the way I wind up telling tell a story! It was a phenomenal piece that came from collaborating with such an amazingly talented artist and an incredible song." recalls Bentley.

With over a decade of experience in film and television, Natalie Paige Bentley has established herself as an accomplished actress and filmmaker. Her first film, written, directed and produced by Natalie, "Butterfly Angels," became a festival circuit success, screening in Sydney Australia, London, Orlando, Florida, Toronto, and NYC for multiple festivals. Natalie, who also starred in the film, was nominated for Best Actress from IFCT and Best Short Film, along with winning an award from NYIIFF for Independent Achievement. Bentley is the mastermind behind her production company Alabama Productions, Inc. based out of Warminster, PA. “Time" music video can be viewed on YouTube & MySpace as well as the trailer for “City Of Motherly Love.”

“City of Motherly Love,” feature film from local writer, director, producer, Natalie Paige Bentley will take part in Ambler Theater's Cinematheque Series March 17th. Immediately following, there will be a Q&A with the director Natalie Paige Bentley. “City of Motherly Love” is now available to purchase on DVD at www.amazon.com and www.turnerclassicmovies.com. "City of Motherly Love" which also stars Natalie Paige Bentley, gives us an intense and dark insight into a young working mother who’s only child is tragically killed leaving her left with nothing more then what she had previously desired most, time. But time now is filled with the torments of the abandonment of her son's father, the sudden and violent death of her only child, and a shattered past, which ultimately becomes a twisted race she must endure to rescue her own life.

With over a decade of experience in film and television, Natalie Paige Bentley has established herself as an accomplished actress and filmmaker. She began her career as an actress at the age of ten her in Philadelphia, PA and moved to Los Angeles at 18, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic
Arts while working as a professional actress, appearing various syndicated television shows and working for MTV productions. Relocating back to Philadelphia, Natalie formed her production company, Alabama Productions, to write direct and produce independent films. Her first film, written, directed and produced by Natalie, “Butterfly Angels,” became a festival circuit success, screening in Sydney Australia, London, Orlando, Florida, Toronto, and NYC for multiple festivals and completing two world tours. Natalie, who also starred in the film, was nominated for Best Actress from IFCT and Best Short Film, along with winning an award from NYIIFF for Independent Achievement. During this time Natalie also continued to work on films, such as Prison Song, opposite Snow and Mary J. Blige. Her work has included a number of other short films including “I’m Important” which took part in the trailer selection for the Austin Film Festival. She has gone on to direct & produce music videos including directing producing and starring in musician, Jayy Mannon’s original song “Time” which is featured on the “City of Motherly Love” soundtrack. Her "Time" music video aired on Fuse TV and placed in the top ten finals for Spike Lee's Bablegum & Music Nation's Music Video Awards. “City of Motherly Love” was filmed entirely in the surrounding Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties including original musical score by Philadelphia's own John Avarese and original music by Jayy Mannon.

CITY OF MOTHERLY LOVE: Drama. Starring Natalie Paige Bentley, Vincent Razzano, Jayy Mannon & Nicole Renee. Directed by Natalie Paige Bentley.

"City Of Motherly Love" sets the pace with the dark foreshadowing of the opening sequence, obviously telling the dark cryptic tale of one’s haunting loss from writer, director, producer, Natalie Paige Bentley.
Bentley, who also stars in the film as Ashley Freeman, the young women whose tragic past conflicts with the reality of her world after her son is shot & killed at school, adds a tell tale sign of what’s to come in the moments ahead through reflections of her characters tragic past . She skillfully turns her storytelling outside the stereotypical box where one might initially believe they are watching yet another urban tale of a working class family dealt the wrong cards to a story that unfolds and pushes the envelope, breaking the mold of how we view the unthinkable hardships of “ordinary” people.

Post production supervisor and sound designer James Cravero from East Coast Recording Company reflects on the process of post production in relation to the overall feeling of the film, “It was vital to the picture to capture the internal struggle with each of the characters and find a way to connect those emotions not only through the acting but into the overall sound design and development of the emotions of the film, ultimately it was a collaboration that brought the entire piece together from start to finish.”
Bentley’s has found a way to market herself outside the realm of other filmmakers in bringing forth recording artist Jayy Mannon to not only star in the film but also feature his original music in the overall soundtrack, only after directing & producing the music video for the film’s original song, “Time” written & preformed by Jayy Mannon. Mannon’s implements the father of the young boy who has been shot & killed setting the tone for the path the films dark journey into loss and redemption.
Newcomer Vincent Razzano who portrays Davie, Bentley’s young son murdered, bringing forth an endearing and approachable innocence that will pierce the hearts of any viewer.
City Of Motherly Love is a film worthy of recognition on many levels. Bentley brings this dark tale to a surprise twist ending that is sure the leave the mind reeling for answers within oneself.