The Event (film)
Encyclopedia
The Event is a 2003 drama film directed by Thom Fitzgerald
. It tells the story of Matt Shapiro (Don McKellar
) who has died in Manhattan, resulting in an aborted 9-1-1
call. Attorney Nick DeVivo (Parker Posey
) interviews Matt's friends and family to piece together a portrait of Matt's life and finally his death.
The ultra-low-budget film stars an ensemble of respected actors including Olympia Dukakis
, Brent Carver
, Sarah Polley
, Dick Latessa
, Joanna P. Adler, Jane Leeves
, Rejean Cournoyer
, Joan Orenstein
, McKellar and Posey. It was written by Steven Hillyer, Tim Marback with director Fitzgerald, and produced by Bryan Hofbauer, Vicki McCarty (exec), Robert Flutie (exec).
The Event premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
where it received three standing ovations. It was distributed by ThinkFilm
in the USA.
Thom Fitzgerald
Thomas "Thom" Fitzgerald is an award winning American-Canadian film director as well live theater director.-Life:Fitzgerald was born and raised in New Rochelle, New York. His parents divorced when he was five years old. He moved with his mother and brother, Timothy Jr., to Bergenfield, New Jersey,...
. It tells the story of Matt Shapiro (Don McKellar
Don McKellar
-Personal life:McKellar was born in Toronto, Ontario to a lawyer father and teacher mother. He attended Glenview Senior Public School, Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute and later studied English at the University of Toronto's Victoria College...
) who has died in Manhattan, resulting in an aborted 9-1-1
9-1-1
9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number for the North American Numbering Plan .It is one of eight N11 codes.The use of this number is for emergency circumstances only, and to use it for any other purpose can be a crime.-History:In the earliest days of telephone technology, prior to the...
call. Attorney Nick DeVivo (Parker Posey
Parker Posey
Parker Christian Posey is an American actress. She became known during the 1990s after a series of roles in several well-received independent films. As a result, she has often been referred to as the "Queen of the Indies"....
) interviews Matt's friends and family to piece together a portrait of Matt's life and finally his death.
The ultra-low-budget film stars an ensemble of respected actors including Olympia Dukakis
Olympia Dukakis
Olympia Dukakis is an American actress. In 1987, she won an Academy Award, BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for her performance in Moonstruck...
, Brent Carver
Brent Carver
Brent Carver is a Canadian actor.Carver is known for a variety of stage and film roles, including The Wars, Kronborg: 1582, Lilies, Larry's Party, Elizabeth Rex, Millennium, Shadow Dancing, and Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love...
, Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley is a Canadian actress, singer, film director, and screenwriter. Polley first attained notice in her role as Sara Stanley in the Canadian television series, Road to Avonlea...
, Dick Latessa
Dick Latessa
Richard Robert "Dick" Latessa is an American actor.Latessa was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a mother who was an automotive upholstery maker. Latessa made his Broadway debut in The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N in 1968...
, Joanna P. Adler, Jane Leeves
Jane Leeves
Jane Leeves is an English film, stage, and television actress, comedienne and dancer.Leeves made her screen debut with a small role in the 1983 popular British comedy television show The Benny Hill Show. Leeves moved to the United States, where she performed in small roles until she secured a...
, Rejean Cournoyer
Rejean Cournoyer
Réjean Cournoyer is a Canadian actor and singer, and was raised in a bilingual, Mormon home. After graduating from Mount Saint Vincent University with a degree in public relations, and leaving Mormonism, he began working at the Charlottetown Festival, then made his way to Toronto in 1995 to...
, Joan Orenstein
Joan Orenstein
Joan Orenstein was a British-born Canadian actress, primarily on stage, although she performed in other media...
, McKellar and Posey. It was written by Steven Hillyer, Tim Marback with director Fitzgerald, and produced by Bryan Hofbauer, Vicki McCarty (exec), Robert Flutie (exec).
The Event premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
where it received three standing ovations. It was distributed by ThinkFilm
THINKFilm
THINKFilm is a privately held production and distribution company founded in September 2001. It has been a division of David Bergstein’s Capitol Films since 2006. Bergstein also serves as the company’s chairman...
in the USA.
Awards
- ACCTV Genie AwardGenie AwardGenie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
(nominated)—Olympia Dukakis, Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Atlantic Film FestivalAtlantic Film FestivalThe Atlantic Film Festival is an international film festival held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Held annually, the ten-day celebration of film and video from Atlantic Canada and around the world is committed to screening an inspiring and engaging collection of films and videos from Canada and the...
, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Thom Fitzgerald, Best Direction - Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—S. Hillyer, T. Marback, Best Screenplay
- Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—D'Arcy Poultney, Best Art Direction
- Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Christopher Cooper, Best Editing
- Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Joan Orenstein, Best Actress
- ACTRA Awards, ACTRA Maritimes Award Outstanding Male Performance, Rejean CournoyerRejean CournoyerRéjean Cournoyer is a Canadian actor and singer, and was raised in a bilingual, Mormon home. After graduating from Mount Saint Vincent University with a degree in public relations, and leaving Mormonism, he began working at the Charlottetown Festival, then made his way to Toronto in 1995 to...
- Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film FestivalThe Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
, Teddy AwardTeddy AwardThe Teddy Award is an international film award for films with LGBT topics, presented by an independent jury as an official award of the Berlin International Film Festival . Here, an "independent jury" implies that its members are not officially selected by the committee of the Berlinale...
: Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule" Award, Thom Fitzgerald - Chlotrudis Awards 2004Chlotrudis Awards 2004The 10th Annual Chlotrudis Awards were presented March 28, 2004, by the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. Honoring the best of the past year's independent, documentary and international film, the awards ceremony took place at the venerable Brattle Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
(nominated)—Best Ensemble Cast - Chlotrudis Awards 2004 (nominated)—Olympia Dukakis, Best Supporting Actress
- Golden Trailer AwardsGolden Trailer AwardsThe Golden Trailer Awards is an annual awards show that honors achievements in motion picture marketing, including film trailers, posters and television advertisements.- Overview :...
(nominated)—Golden Trailer, Best Independent - Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival—Audience Award, Best Overall Film
- L.A. Outfest—Grand Jury Award, Outstanding Actress, Olympia Dukakis
- Seattle International Film FestivalSeattle International Film FestivalThe Seattle International Film Festival , held annually in Seattle, Washington since 1976, is among the top film festivals in North America. Audiences have grown steadily; the 2006 festival had 160,000 attendees...
Emerging Master Showcase Award—The Event and The Wild DogsThe Wild Dogs- Plot :Set in the city of Bucharest, Romania, the action is confined to a week in the life of the various characters. Alberta Watson plays the bored wife of a diplomat. Director and screenwriter Thom Fitzgerald plays a Canadian pornographer...