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Editorials, Obituaries

JULY EDITORIAL 2008

By • Jul 21st, 2008 • Pages: 1 2

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NEWS FROM STATEN ISLAND

Staten Island – Filmmaker Buddy (AMERICAN NIGHTMARES, NO WAY HOME) G’s stomping ground, Troma’s new home, and recently, home of the bigger, better Staten Island Film Fest. SINY announced at a lavish luncheon on December 5th, ’07, that legendary producer Julius Nasso would head the third-annual film festival, which was held June 5 – June 8, 2008, as Film Industry Chairman.

SINY’s a four-day independent film festival showcased over 80 films on the Island and, for the first time in its history, in Manhattan and Brooklyn as well, making the fest ubiquitous in our area.  Over 7,000 attendees viewed over 80 films from around the world.

Attendees at the launch event luncheon included Nasso, event sponsors John Alexander (Northfield Bank), Joe Rende (KeySpan/National Grid), Councilman Michael McMahon, Kim Seggio (Richmond County Savings Bank), Staten Island Economic Development Corporation Ambassador Walter Daszkowski, and lovely SINY publicist Emma Rosenbloom. FIR found Nasso charming to talk with, a fine choice as the fest’s ambassador, and we were also impressed with the Florida Red Snapper, Roasted Filet Mignon in red wine sauce, and molten chocolate cake. And, I should add, there was also this cocktail that not only looked good, but had me ready to re-enact the last shot of both THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and its sequel, REVENGE OF THE CREATURE. Maybe I should be more careful with liquor at lunch…

Nasso’s film (and SINY 2007 entry) THE POET – based on a dramatic World War II romance – opened last year’s festival and won the top three honors including Best International Film, Best Director, and Best Overall Film.

An immigrant from a small village in Italy known as Terranova, Nasso started his film career in 1980 as an assistant to the legendary director Sergio Leone on the set of ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA. As head of international promotions in 1986 Jules worked on the action film ABOVE THE LAW, which led to a 14 year producing partnership with Steven Seagal and the formation of Seagal/Nasso Productions, wherein Jules was responsible for producing a series of action blockbusters including HARD TO KILL, MARKED FOR DEATH, OUT FOR JUSTICE, UNDER SEIGE, and its sequel, UNDER SEIGE 2. In 2002 Jules won the Sundance Film Festival with NARC, starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patrick.
In December, 2007, Seagal and Nasso announced a resolution to the dispute that had previously ended their 14-year producing partnership.

The statement from Nasso lawyer Robert J. Hantman and Abbe D. Lowell, lawyer for Seagal, dated December 21, 2007, stated the following: Steven Seagal, the action film star, musician and singer-songwriter (FIR editor’s note: it’s true, but did Seagal really have to include those credentials in the release…), and Julius R. Nasso, the movie producer, announced through their council today that they have resolved their disputes and have agreed to dismiss the litigations each has brought against the other. The two former business associates stated that they were happy to resolve their differences and wished each other success in the future.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Orson Welles’ infamous TOUCH OF EVIL, SINY hosted a special screening of the film on Thursday, June 5th at the College of Staten Island Center for the Arts. There was a Q&A session with Orson Welles’ eldest daughter, Chris Welles Feder, prior to the screening of her father’s film.

GREETINGS FROM THE SHORE starring Paul Sorvino, directed and written by Greg Chwerchak, and produced by Gabrielle Berberich, depicting a young girl’s summer on the Jersey Shore after the devastating death of her father, won the top film honor. The film’s lead actress Kim Shaw, who had a role in the “Sex and the City” movie, was recognized as SINY’s Best Actress.

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