Stepping Out

The Long Island Internal Film Expo gets underway

A sampling of what to see in Bellmore

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The red carpet has been rolled out once again at the historic Bellmore Movies. Film buffs, along with filmmakers and related industry professionals are ready to embrace the latest installment of the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE), which opened Wednesday, July 13, and runs through July 21.
Debra Markowitz, the longtime dynamo behind the scenes — as Director of the Nassau County Film Commission and executive director of the Long Island Film/TV Foundation (which presents the Long Island International Film Expo) — and now a filmmaker herself, enthusiastically welcomes fans and industry professionals to what has become a Long Island institution, now in its 19th year.
“It’s exciting to see LIIFE become such a premiere film community on Long Island,” Markowitz says. “Having several of my own films on the festival circuit and seeing what other film festivals do to serve the filmmakers, I see how important LIIFE is to fostering a cohesive festival family for foreign, domestic and, of course, our own local filmmakers.”
The Merrick resident, who now spends much of her time in the director’s chair, has started the film festival journey for her third short film “By Blood,” which screens during Friday’s opening night film block, at 6:45 p.m.
The thriller has been in three festivals so far and won three awards. “It’s very different than my other two films,” she says. “It’s a dark sexy film of two brothers who get together on the night of brother Vincent’s wife’s burial. The brothers each find out secrets about their relationship that, in essence, rewrites their family history.”

“It was three days of fun and insanity to shoot this film,” she says. “We used a lot of local talent and shot it in Rockville Centre and Merrick. It’s a fun film, just when you think you know what’s going to happen, something else happens.”
Markowitz gives nods to both her cast and her crew for the success of her films. “By Blood features two of the finest actors I have worked with, Joseph A. Halsey and Russ Camarda. Jackie Martling plays bartender Gus, and Diana Durango is the late Tricia, who haunts the men’s memories.”
Her key crew members include Editor Robert La Rosa, of Valley Stream, and Production Manager John Marean, of Merrick, who have been with her since her first film, along with Director of Photography Marc Riou, Production Designer Kory Diskin and First Assistant Director Mara Bush.
“I’m excited to have everyone see it,” she says, noting that she is hoping for more festival screenings for her film in September and October.
Markowitz is equally as enthusiastic about the other films being shown at LIIFE, which received an accolade from MovieMaker Magazine as
“One of the Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World.” The festival receives high marks among film industry insiders and the movie-watching public as a vital showcase for independent filmmakers, representing all genres of movie making from around the world.
“We are so proud of what we continue to accomplish,” Markowtiz says. “LIIFE keeps growing film genre by film genre. And this year’s festival is bigger and better, with more events and panels and a special appearance by Ed Asner.”
The renowned actor, the subject of the documentary “My Friend Ed,” which will be screened next Thursday, July 21, at 1 p.m., will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the closing night ceremonies that evening.
“We are delighted to have him here with us,” says Markowitz. “We love Ed. He’s an icon, from the Mary Tyler Moore Show to Lou Grant and his role in the movie UP!, he’s done it all. He’s a lovely person and it’s quite exciting for us to
have him participate, including in the Q&A session after the screening of his film.
“My Friend Ed” explores the notion of ‘hero’ versus ‘celebrity’ in a funny and poignant portrait of the roots and life-long activist career of Asner. Seemingly hundreds of people from all walks of life know Ed simply as ‘friend’. His loyalty and generosity keeps him scrambling around the world at almost 85 years of age, and he still loves good fight. One may not always agree with him but his ethical foundation and fearless devotion to cause make him someone to study in a cultural era obsessed with ‘selfies’ and an overabundance of meaningless celebrity, according to Producer/Director Sharon K. Baker. The 56-minute film, which has its Long Island premiere at the festival, features appearances by Elliot Gould, John Heard, Ed Begley Jr., Mike Farrell, and Valerie Harper, among others.
“The film is a lot of fun,” says Markowitz, noting that Asner is “a really out there guy who says what’s on his mind.”
After the preliminary rounds July 13 and 14, the festival kicks into high gear Friday night, with a dynamic opening night block that leads off with “By Blood,” “The Telegram Man” and “Stuff.” “Stuff,” from Sayville-based writer/director Suzanne Guacci, is the first festival showing of a LGBT film. The story involves a lesbian couple who seem to be going through the motions of a life together. Excitement comes to town in the guise of a single tattooed mother who proves to perhaps be more temptation then the couple’s marriage can handle. The invigorating tale takes many directions as that’s the “stuff” life is made of.
“It’s a really good heartfelt timely film,” says Markowitz, which was shot in Franklin Square, Lynbrook and West Hempstead, among many locations throughout Long Island.
“The Telegram Man” rounds out that leadoff opening night group. A BAFTA Los Angeles® winner and Australian Academy Awards® nominee, the 14-minute film explores the impact of World War II on a close-knit Australian farming community.
Markowitz also touts the feature “Sugar!,” which stars LIIFE favorite Robert Clohessy and Tony winner Alice Ripley. It tells the story of Leslie (Alice Ripley), a 50-something Indiana piano teacher, who secretly forms an all-woman rock band. At the same time, her husband (Robert Clohessy), a conservative Republican, runs for congress. The band quickly goes viral as ‘MILF’ musicians. Upheaval ensues when her husband and college-bound daughter discover the secret. Meanwhile, Leslie has a clandestine affair with a younger bartender, and, in confusion regarding her life, almost destroys the band.
Other films of note include “Immunity,” written by Bellmore’s Shari Goldstein Umansky, who is also its co-producer. It’s set in 1942 Auschwitz, where a deadly game is being played out by a by a young SS Officer and his once beloved teacher, a Jew who now finds that her most prized pupil has become her tormentor.
The documentary, “The Carousel Man,” by New York City-based director Anton Evangelista, is among this year’s festival world premieres. “It’s a unique story about the passion and genius of sculpture/creator Salvatore D’Incecco, who built a 9-foot functioning miniature carousel in his garage, and the 10 painstaking years it took on his life and family to build it for his two daughters,” says Evangelista. “Sal’s over-the-top passion to make something so unique, is reminiscent of what the great masters and inventors went through in breathing life to their creations.”
LIIFE is also screening Eli Wallach’s last film “The Train,” in its Long Island premiere. Inspired by a true story, it’s about a preoccupied young man who reluctantly agrees to take some time from his busy day to meet his girlfriend’s grandfather. He learns how life can change in a moment.
And, as always, at this audience-friendly event, everyone is invited to the Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony, on July 21, at the Bellmore Movies, where the winners are honored. Among the honorees, Robert Clohessy will be accepting a Creative Achievement Award and Sal Rendino (seen in Netflix’s The Get Down” and “Billions”) will receive a Rising Star Award.

Long Island International Film Expo
When: Now through July 21. Gold pass $65, day pass $25, $10 per film block, $8 for seniors, students and filmmakers.
Where: Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. For information on the Long Island International Film Expo and related events, visit www.longislandfilmexpo.com or call (516) 571-3168.