RIFC Blog

Monday, May 14, 2007

RIFC Weekend Event with Corrente

Michael Corrente's newest film "Brooklyn Rules" premiered in Providence, RI this weekend starting Friday night, May 11, 2007 to sell-out crowds. Critical reviews have been favorable, and Corrente expects the film screenings will be met with success as well in Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

The RIFC as a group attended the Saturday, May 12, 2pm showing. The audience was treated to a Q&A session with Corrente right after the screening of the film.

Corrente related how he had been at the premiere Friday night. Drove to New York to make an introduction for the film, then drove back to Providence for the 2pm showing at the Columbus Theater. "So is the business of film" he sighed.

Corrente is very approachable and I can say the crowd was not shy at asking specific questions about the film and its actors. One person even asked if one of the stars, Alec Baldwin, had ever called Corrente a pig on the phone. (Referring to a recent tirade Baldwin made to his daughter that was recorded and given to the media). Corrente cleaverly deflected the remark by responding "That's who he was talking to".

I really enjoyed the film myself, and I thought it hinged on the relationship of the three friends with strong performances by Freddie Prinze Jr, Jerry Ferrera and Scott Caan. Corrente argued that the point of people only being a product of their surroundings does not hold water. His three characters "grew up in the same sandbox" and yet chose three very different, but believable, paths for their lives.

The violence of the feuding mafia in New York was present, but it never overshadowed the interplay of the three friends in the film. Corrente even let the crowd in on a few of the secrets of filmmaking - like how to make broad daylight look like nighttime. And shared a few anecdotes about how he got certain reactions from the actors.

For me - this is truly one of purposes of the RIFC. We came together as a group, helped support a "home-town" filmmaker, were privy to special treatment, we learned something, AND had uncensored access to a talented, successful director - who intends to continue his association with us.

After that, some of us then "retired" to the Trinity Brewhouse for eats, drinks and good company. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

"Brooklyn Rules" continues playing at the Columbus Theater. Go see it!

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