S.I. Film Festival Opening Night in Saint George

The incredibly ornate Saint George Theater was a packed house for the opening of the Staten Island Film Festival on Thursday. This was the first time we at Prodigal actually had actually seen the inside of the theater (other than peeking in the front door). It's like a jewel box in there! The film on offer was "The Celestine Prophecy," based on James Redfield's alternately loved and hated pop-spirituality book by the same name [ point / counterpoint ].

"The Celestine Prophecy" reminded me (and a few others informally surveyed) of a 1970's made-for-TV movie. So it wasn't a surprise when I later discovered that one of director Armand Mastroianni's past projects was a TV dramatization of Danielle Steele's The Ring (not to be confused with the Japanese horror film by same name). In fact, TV seems to be Masttroianni's preferred medium. Not that we mind this per se. And in fact, the film had high production value for a network television show ca. 1983 (think A-Team goes to Peru), and the actors were real actors rather than someone's relatives (Hector Elizondo and Joaquim de Almeida the most notable). The dialogue was severely clichéd, telegraphing intentions and doubts, and being sure to underline every plot twist that was already glaringly obvious. Let's just say that I haven't read the book, and this film didn't make me want to.

We're not criticizing the festival at all here -- in fact, we strongly encourage you to attend some screenings this weekend. When I have attended festivals in the past, the films showcased on opening night weren't necessarily promoted as the best in show, only the most commercial, biggest budget offerings. We'd welcome any comments and reivews from fellow festivalgoers about any other films, we're sure there are gems.

On a related note, your Prodigal webmasters have been asked by our friend Ann Marie, S.I. Film Festival hospitality director (pictured below with her husband, Wilder, on the red carpet), to accept awards for a couple of foreign filmmakers unable to attend. We're looking forward to receiving our undeserved swag, especially since the party will occur on a ferry riding around the harbor.

Photo: CVB, On the red carpet.

Photo: By CVB, The fellow who runs the Coney Island Film Festival.

Photo: By CVB, The theater lobby.

Photo: By CVB, Wilder Selzer and Russell Farhang on a balcony in the lobby.

Photo: By CVB, Wilder and Russell up close.