By COLlive reporter
The 70s were never so close…
A dairy restaurant in Crown Heights recently served as a backdrop for a new short film titled “Opening Night,” which is set in 1971.
Actors in classic 1970’s clothing walked up and down the streets of Kingston Avenue and Lincoln Place and gathered at Basil Pizza & Wine Bar for one of the segments that were shot by Director Danny Finkelman, a Lubavitcher.
Written by Alexander Zushe Kohn, the film tells the story of a once outgoing Jewish man who survived the Holocaust, moved to New York City and leads a mostly silent and low-key life.
Ironically, playing that lead role is Dudu Fisher, the charismatic Israeli cantor, singer and stage performer known for his Broadway performance in the musical Les Miserables and his musical videos for young children.
In the film, Fisher is at a loss for words as his son, played by Adam Margules (son of the Executive Producer Cecilia Margules), tries to get him to open up and speak about the horrors he endured in Nazi-controlled Europe.
Fisher’s character was an actor, singer and performer before World War II broke out and wiped out over 6 million Jews. After the war, he vows to never perform again, neglecting his G-d given talents.
“The role I’m playing is the role of hundreds of thousands of Jews that passed away taking their secrets to the grave,” Fisher, the son of Holocaust survivors, told COLlive.com.
“So many never spoke of the horrors. When my wife’s father finally opened up, there was so much to tell that he never told. I hope this story can make people understand some of what all those people went through.”
“It’s a very emotional and very dramatic story,” Finkelman added. “It’s such an important story to tell, to give over to the next generation.”
Other segments were shot in lower Manhattan streets and a concert hall. The film, by Sparks Next Productions, is set to be released in October for screening at film festivals around the country.
Who is bankrolling this movie?
An incredible writer – the best in the business!
no. IN THE FILM dudu acts like a holocaust survivor that before the war was a actor and singer. but in real life hes a regular israeli
is dudu fisher really a holocaust survivor?
The rebbe pic was only in the pictures shown on collive, but in the film, it won’t be there.
If the set is supposed to be in the early 70’s, they forgot to change the picture of the rebbe in the background which was taken in the 90’s
crown heights is in the film business, now. Wow. wow.
First time I’ve seen Dudu without a kippa. Is this in character for film. Certaintly not for his character in real life,
all this action in Crown Heights and no one has any noise about this??
Moshiach must be coming