Just like U.S. military recruiters, Bayonne’s Narrow Bridge Films is looking for a few good men and women. But unlike the military, all Narrow Bridge officials want you to do is attend the April 7 premiere of their new film, “Summer Cabin.”
There are about 200 seats in the theater that the movie will be shown in at Frank Theatres in Bayonne, and spokesman Sam Platizky would like to see every one of them filled.
The movie stars Bayonne natives Platizky, Isaac Platizky (Sam’s brother), Jenna Kildosher, Dan Gregory, and William Farley. It was written by Isaac Platizky, and directed by Bayonne’s Sean Feuer. Farley was also the assistant director.
“Summer Cabin” is a comedy about a group of friends trying to get a couple back together again during a group vacation. Of course, everything goes wrong.
Peter, George, and Dave have been friends for years. When Peter separates from his wife, Nancy, Dave and his soon-to-be-fiancée Mary scheme to get them back together while vacationing at their summer cabin. Commitment-phobic George brings his girlfriend, Susie, who Peter happens to be in love with. Miscommunications, confusion, and mistaken identities play out over the course of a summer night. Some may see it as “Big Chill Lite.”
“Summer Cabin” was filmed in Laconia, N.H. and Bayonne, including at Hendrickson’s Corner and the Little Food Cafe.
“I’m a big fan of Hendrickson’s; their food, their atmosphere and their history,” Sam Platizky said. “I like their staff and I’m friendly with Bob O’Neill, one of their owners.”
The film company also has good relations with Little Food, shooting at that restaurant on a Wednesday night for five hours.
“Both places were incredibly nice to us,” Platizky said. “They went above and beyond.”
Bayonne as movie haven
In fact, one of the reasons the company is debuting its film in Bayonne is to give back to a city its employees love, and which has supported them.
“We’re holding the premiere here because it’s home,” Platizky said. “We feel good about being able to do this in our hometown. The Bayonne theater supports us, so we want to support them and the businesses in the area. We hope to bring them business they might not have had on a regular Thursday.”
Bayonne gives the film company a wide range of locations to shoot at, including the Bayonne Bridge, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations, and the city’s abundant recreational areas.
“You get the whole sense of the town,” Platizky said. “We really like using the parks in Bayonne.”
This is Narrow Bridge’s third theatrical release. Between those movies and the company’s web series, “Lost and Found,” it has filmed in Bayonne six times.
The movie’s New Jersey-area connections don’t end with Bayonne. Sound and light work was done by Joey Mosca of Country Village in Jersey City. Also starring in the movie are Megan Bussiere of Edison and Laura Chaneski of North Plainfield.
“We’re holding the premiere here because it’s home. We feel good about being able to do this in our hometown.” – Sam Platizky
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Audience reaction
“Summer Cabin” is the group’s third feature film and the first public screening of it, so Platizky is hoping a hometown film troupe can attract hometown residents and visitors.
How will Narrow Bridge gauge the success of its premiere?
“Just filling up all the seats and getting a good reaction,” Platizky said. “It’s the first time we’ll actually hear people react to this movie. If they laugh at the right moments and ‘feel’ at the right moments, we’ll think it was a success.”
Narrow Bridge will screen the film on Thursday, April 7 at 7:45 p.m. at the Frank Theatres South Cove Stadium 12 on LeFante Way. Tickets are $15 and are available at eventbrite.com/e/summer-cabin-tickets-22551005665.
For more information, email splatizky@gmail.com.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.