Independent films are hot, and the way they get publicity is to garner awards at film festivals. This past spring’s first Back East Picture Show in Hoboken was successful in helping premiere local films, and the organizers say they’re already at work on next year’s fest.
Acclaimed Hollywood actor and North Jersey resident Frank Vincent was the event’s honoree, and about a half-dozen films were picked up for distribution.
The weekend event, sponsored in part by The Hudson Reporter Newspaper Group, was held at Hudson Cinemas on Hudson Street, had several sold out movies, and overall received rave reviews from movie industry professionals and the Garden State media.
To capitalize on the success of the event, co-founder and executive director of the non-profit Hudson Waterfront Film Society Maria Perfetto said she is working on several projects to improve next year’s event and attract more people, from not only Hoboken and Hudson County, but throughout the East Coast.
First, Perfetto has embarked on a fundraising campaign for next year’s show. She is also seeking more Hudson County businesses to take part in corporate sponsorships. Being a part of the Back East Picture Show will help promote the arts in New Jersey and will give the involved companies fresh exposure in the lucrative movie business, she said.
"We are seeking significant donations," Perfetto said during a recent interview. "We want to partner with companies to have a bigger and better event for next year."
With the film society, Perfetto hopes to create a center for cinematography in Hoboken to give independent filmmakers a place to develop their craft in a comfortable environment. Perfetto also is looking for businesses to donate office space for the Back East Picture Show’s planning committee for 2003.
"Come on board and offer us resources," she said.
Awards gala
In the show in the spring, organizers Anthony D. Costanza and Perfetto hosted an awards gala at Liberty House at Liberty State Park in Jersey City on April 27. The black tie-optional event honored Vincent, formerly of Jersey City. The popular actor is better known for his supporting roles in Hollywood features like "Casino," "Goodfellas," and "Raging Bull."
During his acceptance speech, Vincent thanked his colleagues and his friends in show biz, and the event’s organizers.
Also winning awards were the creators of the movies "The Russian Job," for Best Feature Comedy; Danny Provenzano of "This Thing of Ours," for Best Feature Director; "The Little Red Toilet," for Best Animated Short Film; Victor Colicchio and Nicholas Iacovino of "High Times’ Pot Luck," for Best Screenplay; Paul Borghese of "Four Deadly Reasons," for Back East Buzz Award; "Suspended Animation," for Best Feature Film (Thriller); "3 Weeks from Paradise," for Best Documentary; "Null Null," for Best Foreign Film; "Melting Glass," for Best Cinematography; "Curiosity Killed Brian," for Best Comedy Short; and "Caught in Time," for Best Short Drama.
"The Russian Job," shot in Moscow and the mile-square city, was an 84-minute comedy about an Italian Jersey boy (played by Hoboken actor Robert Capelli) who travels to Russia in search of the con-artist mail-order-bride who scammed his family. The cinematography was superb. Also appearing in the movie were Artie Lange, Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling, Vincent Pastore, and Danny Aiello. Many scenes in the film were shot in Hoboken.
Perfetto said next year she would like to see more support from Hoboken officials. For more information on the Back East Picture show, visit www.backeastpictureshow.org or call (201) 239-1101. q
2002 picture show
Highlights from this year’s Picture Show include the movie "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." It may never win an Academy Award, but it definitely won the approval of audience members who watched it. Created by Director Doug Miles, the 75-minute flick was a hilarious black and white 1953 sci-fi genre movie, dubbed with new dialogue and a few added scenes. The movie, originally about creatures from out of space invading Earth, was transformed into a lampoon comedy about homosexuals in the military.
During the screening, Miles said to the almost sold-out crowd, "We tried to make a movie that would offend almost everybody, and I think we succeeded."
The movie did not win an award from the festival, but looks like it will be headed to cult-film heaven.
Another creative movie, also in black and white, was the 25-minute short "Mr. Rose," by a very talented director from New York City, Jason Giampietro. The movie was a weird glimpse of the life of a frustrated middle-school music teacher (played by actor Fred Leeds) who is obsessed with 1980s rock opera bands and donuts.
"The movie is based 90 percent on a true story," Giampietro told the audience during the matinee screening of the film.
"Mr. Rose" was funny and skillfully shot. It captured the essence of students stuck in a classroom with a very boring teacher. The dialogue was delivered authentically, and a thoughtful soliloquy at the end managed to capture the viewers’ attention.
Throughout the four-day festival (April 25-28), area residents, as well as filmmakers from major cities, attended the event, according to spokesman Stuart Ginsberg. The festival created the ambiance of a large independent movie extravaganza with small town charm. The majority of the films shown had some footage of Hudson County, possibly enabling local viewers to feel personally connected to them.
"We wanted to bring the best possible talent to Hoboken and I think we succeeded," Ginsberg said.