By John B. Manbeck
A Brooklyn historian
Throughout the year, movie production companies sprout on the streets of Brooklyn Heights. Annoying as the habit is to motorists seeking parking spaces, the custom accompanies a certain pride knowing that a Brooklyn neighborhood will be there on the big silver screen in next year’s film crop.
Sometimes, those movie pictures fool you, though. In 2001, Kate and Leopold opened with a scene of the Brooklyn Bridge under construction followed by a race through cobblestoned Brooklyn Heights streets. In truth, the movie company spent weeks in DUMBO shooting around the Brooklyn Bridge caisson. But when the production got to the editing room, the tower was de-constructed by computers to its 1880s look.
For the 2005 re-working of The Honeymooners story, the Brooklyn Bridge again made an entrance. It was real but a real set only: parts of the Bridge had been re-constructed in Dublin , Ireland , where the rest of Ralph Kramden’s apartment materialized.
Of the new dozen or so Brooklyn films, one will command attention because of its concept. The musical comedy written and directed by Brooklynite John Turturro, Romance & Cigarettes has unique qualities and cast. (John even has a small acting role.) Shot in Bensonhurst, Red Hook and other NYC locations, it deals with a working class family and the cost of relationships to the individual. Whenever characters become frustrated, their subconscious escapes into song.
Romance & Cigarettes, directed by John Turturro
And now the cast: James Gandolfino, Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Steve Buscemi, Christopher Walken, Mary-Louise Parker, Elaine Stritch, Tony Goldwyn and a host of other Turturros. This United Artists film was produced by Ethan and Joel Coen. It sounds like a glorious tribute to Brooklyn genius.
Another Brooklyn celebrity who is appearing in film circles is Jonathan Lethem. His Motherless Brooklyn, from the novel about a detective with Tourette’s syndrome, will star and be produced by Ed Norton. One more drama from a Lethem short story will be retitled Tonight at Noon which explores random encounters between people in clubs and bars around NYC. Among the featured players are Joan Chen, Rutger Hauer and Ethan Hawke.
Two remakes will re-appear this year. The Little Fugitive has been built up from its simple storyline and now stars Peter Dinklage as the jailed father of the errant brothers. While some of the shooting took place in Gateway National Recreation Area around deserted barracks, the original Coney Island scenes have vanished into historical never-never land.
Brooklyn baseball remains a popular theme. In 1999, there was Crossing White Lines, about the race issue in the Brooklyn Dodgers. Still in production is Jackie Robinson with Robert Redford playing Branch Rickey and also, the story of Robinson’s support by Pee Wee Reese in The People’s Choice.
Other Brooklyn settings dot the cinematic landscape with largely unknown casts starring in unpredictable movies. One unusual Brooklyn movie made last year was Block Party, Dave Chappelle’s mysterious 2004 concert which transported unknowing Ohio spectators to Downing Street in Brooklyn where they heard The Fugees.
Evidently, Brooklynites become introspective when faced with life’s dilemmas. In the drama, Brother’s Shadow, the main character returns to Brooklyn from a self-imposed exile to the Alaskan fishing industry. When he finds his brother has died, he assumes his identity—and his wife—which exposes him to new problems. Judd Hirsch has a supporting role.
Two films with the same working titles, Superheroes, are in production, both filmed in New York . The Brooklyn one deals with a teen who steals camcorders from tourists, then fantasizes about their travels. In his fantasy life, ordinary people cross between human and superhuman characters. Hence, the title. (The other Superheroes deals with Iraqi war vets and their emotional scars.)
Another so-called drama, High Life, centers on a Brooklyn artist and his friends, a group of slackers discussing and searching for goals. The title gives you the gist of the story. One more drug tale—film makers still have negative feelings about Brooklyn natives—titled December Ends deals with a dealer who gets involved with his boss’ girlfriend. Sounds like a wintry tale.
Then there’s West of Brooklyn, about a Brooklyn boy who travels to Hollywood to escape personable tragedies and, voila!, he makes new friends in LA. Another story still in production is Made in Brooklyn. It’s a comedy/drama involving four short films that tell a single story a la Rashamon.
Several new Brooklyn films coming out are shorts, which mean that you may see them if they win awards or if you frequent film festivals. Orange Bow is about a Brooklyn teen on his way to a birthday party with a so-called unpredictable conclusion. Another is Bagelized, a comedy about trading company secrets about making bagels. This stars an Italian cast. Now THAT’S funny!
The final entry is a seasonal documentary called The Kings of Christmas. Produced by Bergen Street Films, it deals with a creator of Christmas lawn ornaments and the competition created among the merchants and the home owners.
So that’s the lineup for this year. Over the holidays, we can watch and see which of the new Brooklyn films fall and which are the winners.
© 2006 John B. Manbeck
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