INAUGURAL AMT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in Midtown Manhattan

AMT Inaugural International Film Festival
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By. Charles E. Gerber

On November 8th, 9th, and 10th THE AMT THEATER, 354 W. 45TH ST. NYC hosted the iinaugural AMT International Film Festival with Festival Director, Sharon Osowski, Festival Producer, Pete Dorton, Co-Producer, Zoe Reeve, Marketing Director, Joan Pelzer, Projectionist, Sam Berland, and Animation, Jack Feldstein.

Pete Dorton, Producer with Kathryn Erbe

Last weekend I almost felt like I was reading my favorite children’s book, “The Little Train That COULD”, when I attended, as much as my schedule allowed, this birth of a film festival in midtown Manhattan.  

I make this observation with the deepest sense of appreciation and encouragement. I don’t believe that anything or anyone can receive a more inspiring sentiment than, when young and fledgling, a sense of determination and strong aspiration which could be most vital in attaining significant achievement. That is what this new contribution to world cinema presented with 65 films, mostly shorts with occasional features, over 3 days in a state of the art, 99 seat Off- Broadway theater in the heart of what is fondly referred to as, “Hell’s Kitchen”. 

There were 6 “Blocks” from the afternoon of Friday, the 9th of November through the evening of Sunday, the 10th. As much as I yearned to attend all 6, I was able to experience merely half of them. However, it was sufficient to be excited for what was occurring in this film lovers’ community, locally, nationally, and worldwide. The selection of the 65 from I can only guess how MANY submissions was stunning in its breadth, eclecticism, and caliber of cinematic talents. 

Come in and choose from 65 films

I shall endeavor to describe some of the highlights from Blocks B, G, and K which kept me captivated by introducing me to a series of directors, writers, actors, cinematographers, editors and composers, as well as some with whom I was already familiar, and indeed had had the privilege of collaborating with in the past. 

Every Block would be introduced by a short animation of vibrant dancing provided by the brilliant animator and playwright, JACK FELDSTEIN. It served as an overture to every attendee setting up the excitement and vitality of what was to proceed. 

                                                                                  BLOCK B 

“LOVE BEYOND DREAMS” was directed by JEREMIAH KIPP and written by and starring SIMIN VASWANI, ably abetted by her real-life husband, HARISH VASWANI. It is a 30-minute dance fantasy of a middle-aged marriage in need of a romantic boost. Inspiration from a visit to a Boston Museum and a particular masterpiece by Renoir generated the heat required to reignite the passion in their connubial contract via dreamlike sequences of first-rate ballroom ballets. Director Kipp’s ability to maintain the viewers sympathetic investment with the proceedings explain well why this film was previously honored with exhibition at THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL. 

“LOVE MUSIC SHELTER”, Directed by COURTNEY MILLER, Written by ALIXX SCHOTTLAND, and Starred LAURISSA ROMAIN, (of fabulous voice and acting!), MARSHA DIETLEIN, BRENDA BRAXTON, FREDERICK WELLER, ESTHER McGREGOR, and ISABELLA di RIENZO. It is a heartwarming true to life tale of a homeless teenage girl and her mom living on the streets in the NYC area, busing for survival until a performing arts school rescues them despite the mother’s initial objections from pride, alcoholism, and past demons. This was one of my and the festival’s favorites. 

“BECAUSE I LOVE YOU”, Written, Directed, and Co-Starring BOB CELLI, it also Stars the alluring and expert JENNIFER PLOTZKE. It was a short Hitchcock/ Shakespearean thriller of marital jealousy that captivates due to the convincing acting, regardless if one suspects what’s inevitable when one partner’s sense of inadequacy engenders that which we should best avoid. This too was honored by the festival. 

“LAST SET”, Directed, Written, and Starring JOSE ALBERTO ALVEREZ, was a remarkable short involving a young obsessive body builder contending with his ambition and temptation of using steroids. Alvarez provides a compelling performance and coaxes equally convincing portrayals from STEVE DOWNING, CASEY ERICSON, and   YAFREICA “FRAZE” PERALTA. 

Attending the AMT inaugural International Film Festival

                                                                               BLOCK G 

“THE 190”, Directed and Written by JAKE LAURENCE was a touching offering of a grieving widower, JAMES LAURENCE. It is a sensitive convincing portrayal when he visits his bookstore owner son, GIAN- MURRAY GIANINO and establishes a relationship though troubled by the father’s gambling, the recession in 2008. This shows the awkward communications of fathers and sons, seen throughout the ages. 

‘THE LAST TAKE” Directed and Written by Brian Foyster offered a glimpse of how closed the closet was (and somewhat still remains) in the Golden Age of Hollywood among the male heartthrobs of the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s 50’s etc. RICHARD FANCY and ROBERT JOHN BURKE give poignant examples of some of the tragic consequences of such celebrity and the secrets they held.

“DON’T PICK UP” Directed by JEREMIAH KIPP(Again!) Written from her play by SUSANNAH NOLAN was a highly engaging two hander starring the esteemed and always wonderful, KEITH DAVID and the renowned KATHRYN ERBE of Broadway and Television fame. David, who I once heard and witnessed the most accomplished Oberon in any of the multiple “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that I’ve ever attended or performed in has never appeared more vulnerable and perfectly sweet in this bookstore owner (another one!) alongside the troubled customer most credibly rendered by Erbe, who has an affliction difficult to detect outside the camera’s purview. This short is a gem ably polished by Mr. Kipp. 

“CALL FAILED” Directed and Written by Lee Raphael Koppel afforded TARA WILLEY a tour de force that rivals Agnes Morehead’s radio broadcast of Lucille Fletcher’s immortal, “SORRY, WRONG NUMBER” that later was filmed with Barbara Stanwyck. Willey deserves comparison with these divas and indeed garnered the Best Actress Award for the festival! 

“SISTERS OF SENECA” Directed and Written by GREG KASTON provided him and his ensemble a combination detective thriller, history lesson, and supernatural seasoning. It made for arresting (pun intended) and important reminding of how much of our city and nation is founded in egregious injustice.                                                                                              

“DIG DEEPER” Directed by GIRAULT SEGER starred a brilliant VICTOR WILLIAMS and LEE WILKOF in an exercise in Grave Humor, LITERALLY!  It engendered legitimate laughs with an occasional wince with a deft hand and at the festival’s completion, awarded Williams with a highly warranted Best Actor Statuette. 

Sharon Osowski,festival director and Joan Pelzer, Marketing Director

                                                                                BLOCK K 

This Block presented but one film, a documentary feature of some 90 minutes first released in 2014: “MY ITALIAN SECRET” Directed by OREN JACOBY, Narrated by ISABELLA ROSSELLINI and featured the voice of ROBERT LOGGIA. This film was a fitting finale for the festival in terms of expert producing by ELIZABETH BETTINA and in telling the inspiring story of immeasurable courage that was secretly exercised by hundreds of Italians of Christian heritage saving thousands of Jews during WWII. I, as Jew myself, knew NOTHING of this and am deeply grateful for consciousness raising of yet another facet of fighting fascism, and the valor and humility of some of Italy’s famed athletes and clerics who risked EVERYTHING combating the forces of Mussolini and Hitler.  How timely such inspiration is for us now in our nation! 

The winner is….

 Such was my personal “Take Away” from the 3 blocks that I was able to attend. I now employ with his permission the observation of a frequent contributor to this internet journal: Playwright, Producer, Artistic Director of AMT Theater, and former film editor at WGNO-TV in New Orleans, TONY SPORTIELLO as he recalled his days as a film editor back in the day……“I averaged three full length films a day and worked there for four years. So, I am no stranger to watching a LOT of movies. This weekend I had the privilege of watching most of the 65 films at AMT International Film Festival. I saw mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, sisters and brothers, teachers and students, lost finances, lost loves, dementia, assassins, animations, grave diggers, aliens, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, car crashes, plane crashes, Soul singers, Mexican singers, hit men, petty thieves, book stores, the history of Cuba under Castro, the history of Jews in Italy during world War II and the first black man to guard the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The quality of writing, the quality of acting, the stories, the passion, the talent and the creativity, of the filmmakers was beyond inspiring. Thanks to all who participated and all who came and all who supported our first International Film Festival. MORE TO COME!!! 

                                            ….and this reporter has nothing to add. 

Photos provided by the INAUGURAL AMT International Film Festival

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