Join us for a virtual conversation with filmmakers Sumalee Montano and Sean Presant about their new movie The Deal at 5:30 pm PT/8:30 pm ET
An unprecedented pandemic has ravaged the planet, leaving resources insufficient to
maintain the human population. To combat the crisis, a totalitarian governing body
known as The Bureau established "The Deal.” Accept The Deal, and you'll receive a job,
housing, and medical care that will keep you safe and healthy for twenty more years, at
which point you must take your own life.
Tala Bayani took The Deal when she was twenty, pregnant, and alone. She spent the
next nineteen years raising her daughter Analyn and saving everything she had so her
daughter wouldn't have to take The Deal. Just five days before Tala is due to die, Analyn
gets an unexpected medical diagnosis. Now the adventure begins, as Tala fights to get
her daughter beyond the reach of The Bureau before her time is up.
maintain the human population. To combat the crisis, a totalitarian governing body
known as The Bureau established "The Deal.” Accept The Deal, and you'll receive a job,
housing, and medical care that will keep you safe and healthy for twenty more years, at
which point you must take your own life.
Tala Bayani took The Deal when she was twenty, pregnant, and alone. She spent the
next nineteen years raising her daughter Analyn and saving everything she had so her
daughter wouldn't have to take The Deal. Just five days before Tala is due to die, Analyn
gets an unexpected medical diagnosis. Now the adventure begins, as Tala fights to get
her daughter beyond the reach of The Bureau before her time is up.
Once you take The Deal, there’s no turning back. The Bureau makes sure of this.
About the filmmakers:
Sumalee Montano AB '93
As a founding partner of LinLay Productions, Sumalee has executive produced multiple
films that 
premiered at Sundance Film Festival, including "Nanny," which won the 2022 U.S. Grand Jury Prize (Amazon/BlumHouse); the documentary “Riotsville, U.S.A.” (Magnolia Pictures); and "Aftershock" (Disney/ABC). She also produced the sci-fi dystopian drama, “The Deal" (Roku), inspired by Sumalee's real-life relationship with
premiered at Sundance Film Festival, including "Nanny," which won the 2022 U.S. Grand Jury Prize (Amazon/BlumHouse); the documentary “Riotsville, U.S.A.” (Magnolia Pictures); and "Aftershock" (Disney/ABC). She also produced the sci-fi dystopian drama, “The Deal" (Roku), inspired by Sumalee's real-life relationship withher mother.
On-screen, in addition to starring in "The Deal," Sumalee is a series regular on
"Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol" (Imagine Entertainment/Peacock). She has recurred and guest starred on dozens of television shows, including "This Is Us" and "VEEP." Sumalee has also lent her voice to nearly 200 animated roles to date, with current shows on Netflix, Disney and Nickelodeon, plus numerous triple-A video games, including Sony's record-breaking "Ghost of Tsushima."
Sean Presant AB '93
Sean is an award-winning writer, producer, and director who has written and produced for ABC, NBC, Amazon, Nickelodeon, TVLand, YouTube, MTV, Showtime, and more. His work includes comedy (The Wayne Brady Show, Instant Mom, Happily Divorced, Wipeout), drama (Almost Paradise), animation (Planet Sheen), children’s programming (Tab Time), and sci-fi (The Deal.)
A firm believer that stories can change the world, Sean co-founded Writers Action, a messaging organization that connects screenwriters with political candidates and non-profit humanitarian groups. He also started the Save Santa’s Home movement to teach kids about climate activism and remind them that it’s their world and they have the power to shape it.
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