Prototype Issue
LA Jewish Film Festival, 2008
By Robin Menken
(page 2 of 4)A bored kid’s voiceover introduces the pleasant gated neighborhood as “my first Ghetto.” Nerdy Ariel (Sebastián Montagna) and his loser pals wander through the suburban “ghetto” getting into trouble. The popular kids pick on them, what else is new? Ariel’s confused grandfather Molo (iconic Juan Manuel Tenuta) is kept on a tight leash by his wife Chola (Maria Vaner) who calls him regularly on his massive 80’s cell phone. When he’s not sneaking cigarettes he dispenses worldly wisdom “How many times do you masturbate in one day?”
Ariel’s exasperated sister, Natalia (Martina Juncadella,) uses roller skates to avoid her lovelorn “simple” suitor Felman (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart). Chubby wiesenheimer Coper (the talented Nicolas Torcanowsky) nurses a crush on Mrs. Felman. Telenovelo star Susú Pecoraro plays Felman’s glamorous mother, who tempts the sexually curious kids to her house to befriend Felman. A scene where the sexually curious kids administer CPR is a blast. Film giant Federico Luppi appears as the one reasonable adult who comes to the kid’s rescue. A lot of fun, a young cast and director to watch out for!
LAJFF (May 8-15, 2008) presented more than 35 features, documentaries (most with Q &A’s), short subjects and cultural events at more than 15 locations around Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
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AND THEN I INTERVIWED JOAN RIVERS
At the 3rd Annual LA Jewish Film Fest, I had a chance to chat with honoree Joan Riversher on the Red Carpet (along with Bonnie Priver of Associated Content).
RM-Hello, gorgeous!
JR-Hi
RM- So, I’m from Second City and I remember that you were the first comic to come to the shrine of Improv, in 1964. Do you remember this?
JR- No.
RM- You don’t? Well I’m telling you. You opened the door, and after you came David Steinberg…
JR- That’s right.
RM- and Robert Klein
JR- That’s right. Oh I see, you’re calling Second City the “Shrine Of Improv?”
RM- I am, and I’m saying you came and opened the door.,
JR- Yes, yes.
RM- It was another one of your first door ways, and I want to know what you remember about that, what you felt about that?
JR- Well, Second City opened the whole world to me because I never knew I could improvise and I could be funny and people would like what I thought was funny. I used to buy material before I went to Second City.
RM- What a wonderful thing to hear.
JR- Second City opened my whole career up for me.
Discussion