What happens when the lives of Brooklyn roommates Marta and Angela, two young Hispanic women from different worlds, collide?
Photo provided by Christopher Cannucciari
Former Skaneateles resident Christopher Cannucciari, second from left, works on “New Brooklyn,” his first independent, full-length feature film.
Former Skaneateles resident Christopher Cannucciari, second from left, works on “New Brooklyn,” his first independent, full-length feature film.
That's what 29-year-old Skaneateles native and filmmaker Christopher Cannucciari explores in “New Brooklyn,” his first independent, full-length feature film. Cannucciari wrote the script for the project and is also directing.
The film is set against the backdrop of a city in transition from warehouses and barrios to a gentrified playground of boutiques and ultra-modern condominiums. “New Brooklyn” will be shot on location in Brooklyn in 2008.
“I feel very strongly about the project,” said a confident yet low-key Cannucciari on a phone interview from his home in New York City.
He believes the strength of the script has been a huge plus in terms of attracting high-level talent to the project.
“Everyone has come to us to be involved,” he noted.
In spite of a rather modest budget estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000, the project has attracted a number of eminent names in the business.
Blanca Lewin, a Chilean actress and two-time winner of the APES Award (the Chilean/South American equivalent to the Academy Award), makes her U.S. debut as Marta.
“Blanca Lewin is the Angelina Jolie of South America,” Cannucciari explained. “She recently won the “International Critics' Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) for Best Actress at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (in January 2007).”
“New Brooklyn” has also attracted a well-known and experienced casting director, Rodrigo Bellott.
He works for producer and director Steven Soderbergh (“Syriana,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean's Eleven”), and was responsible for casting Soderbergh's last two movies shot in South America, “The Argentine” and “Guerrilla,” both starring Benicio Del Toro, Cannucciari said.
“Bellott is responsible for casting Lewin in New Brooklyn,” he said. “She's really excited about being a part of the film.”
Other cast members include actress and singer Shelley Thomas, who appeared in the Broadway show “Brooklyn” in 2006 and regularly tours with and sings backup for Vanessa Williams.
Actor Frankie Nasso is a supporting actor for “New Brooklyn.” His past credits include a starring role in “Prince of Central Park” in 2000. He has appeared several times on the television series “Law and Order.”
“New Brooklyn” has also attracted the talents of cinematographer Daryn DeLuco.
DeLuco has been the director of photography on two recognized feature films. “Sexual Dependency” had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, and “Low and Behold” premiered at Sundance in 2007.
Though Cannucciari has assembled a world-class team in terms of cast and crew for “New Brooklyn,” he is still developing investors to help finance the independent film.
In addition to being a feature filmmaker, he has been involved as a producer, director, cinematographer, camera man and crew member on more than 16 movies since 2001.
Over the past six years, he has written, directed and produced more than a dozen short films. He has also directed and produced reality TV for MTV, most notably MTV's “Made” series.
His work includes several music videos (one starring actor/singer Danny Aiello and rap artist Hasan) and commercials. Most recently Cannucciari completed, “Determination,” a documentary on Down syndrome.
Cannucciari attended Skaneateles Central Schools and is a class of '97 graduate. He graduated from Ithaca College in 2001 with a bachelor's in cinema production.
The film is set against the backdrop of a city in transition from warehouses and barrios to a gentrified playground of boutiques and ultra-modern condominiums. “New Brooklyn” will be shot on location in Brooklyn in 2008.
“I feel very strongly about the project,” said a confident yet low-key Cannucciari on a phone interview from his home in New York City.
He believes the strength of the script has been a huge plus in terms of attracting high-level talent to the project.
“Everyone has come to us to be involved,” he noted.
In spite of a rather modest budget estimated to be between $50,000 and $100,000, the project has attracted a number of eminent names in the business.
Blanca Lewin, a Chilean actress and two-time winner of the APES Award (the Chilean/South American equivalent to the Academy Award), makes her U.S. debut as Marta.
“Blanca Lewin is the Angelina Jolie of South America,” Cannucciari explained. “She recently won the “International Critics' Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) for Best Actress at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (in January 2007).”
“New Brooklyn” has also attracted a well-known and experienced casting director, Rodrigo Bellott.
He works for producer and director Steven Soderbergh (“Syriana,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean's Eleven”), and was responsible for casting Soderbergh's last two movies shot in South America, “The Argentine” and “Guerrilla,” both starring Benicio Del Toro, Cannucciari said.
“Bellott is responsible for casting Lewin in New Brooklyn,” he said. “She's really excited about being a part of the film.”
Other cast members include actress and singer Shelley Thomas, who appeared in the Broadway show “Brooklyn” in 2006 and regularly tours with and sings backup for Vanessa Williams.
Actor Frankie Nasso is a supporting actor for “New Brooklyn.” His past credits include a starring role in “Prince of Central Park” in 2000. He has appeared several times on the television series “Law and Order.”
“New Brooklyn” has also attracted the talents of cinematographer Daryn DeLuco.
DeLuco has been the director of photography on two recognized feature films. “Sexual Dependency” had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, and “Low and Behold” premiered at Sundance in 2007.
Though Cannucciari has assembled a world-class team in terms of cast and crew for “New Brooklyn,” he is still developing investors to help finance the independent film.
In addition to being a feature filmmaker, he has been involved as a producer, director, cinematographer, camera man and crew member on more than 16 movies since 2001.
Over the past six years, he has written, directed and produced more than a dozen short films. He has also directed and produced reality TV for MTV, most notably MTV's “Made” series.
His work includes several music videos (one starring actor/singer Danny Aiello and rap artist Hasan) and commercials. Most recently Cannucciari completed, “Determination,” a documentary on Down syndrome.
Cannucciari attended Skaneateles Central Schools and is a class of '97 graduate. He graduated from Ithaca College in 2001 with a bachelor's in cinema production.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.