TURBULENT QUEST
A SCREEN PLAY BY IVANO FRANCO COMELLI
A young immigrant couple from Northern Italy confronts
Fascism, the Great Depression and a World War while
seeking the American Dream.
**************************************************
IVANO SAYS:
For the last several months, my colleague, Professor Derrill Kerrick (SCHS Class of ’58) and I have been working on the above script. I wrote the script and Derrill provided editing, feedback and he formatted the script according to the movie industry strict standard. During the scriptwriting process we have experienced several stops and starts, mostly having to do with editing and rewrites. Today I would like to announce that we have both agreed on a final, formatted version, which we intend to market to producers.
TURBULENT QUEST is fiction; however, it is inspired by true events as recorded in my book: “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast). The time period is 1923 to 1949 and the main setting is the coast north of Santa Cruz, near the little town of Davenport, California. There, as the logline of our screenplay implies the two main characters BRONCO and VALENTINA struggle to seek a better life in America for themselves and their two sons. The screenplay also takes us to a Nazi-occupied Northern Italy where Bronco and Valentina’s families face dire circumstances during World War II.
Derrill and I have no illusions about our own ‘turbulent quest’ ahead of us. This is only the beginning and we know it is going to be very difficult to bring TURBULENT QUEST to the screen. However, this is our dream and we are seeking your help. If any of you know people in the movie business who you think might be interested in carrying this project forward, please let us know. We have prepared a Treatment (Synopsis) of the screenplay. We are happy to make it available to qualified interested parties. You can contact us via the comment section on the LaNostra-Costa Blog: http://www.nostra-costa.blogspot.com/
I have often concluded my writings by the words “Sempre Avanti” (Always Forward). Well, for Derrill and I this is certainly a very big “Sempre Avanti” project. Wish us luck.
Ivano (and Derrill).
22 comments:
Ivano,
I look forward to hearing that this gets picked up by one of the "big" boys in the movie business.
Congradulations on getting it finished.
Russ
Wow, Ivano, I think that is wonderful. What a great project that you are undertaking. I would love to read it. I do not know anyone in the business, but if any opportunity arises I will certainly let you know. Take care, Joanne
Oh My Gosh, Ivano, this sounds so exciting, I am hoping this will come to fruition...
As always,
Norma (Cantarutti)R
*Please keep me posted...
Caro Ivano,
How exciting! I think this is pretty quick given when you first started talking about this.
Ivano: O how wonderful. Can you give us more of a hint what the screenplay is about? Carrie
Carrie: Stay tuned to the "Blagga" for the next several days. I might be enticed to give additional information. Needless to say, It follows the storyline of the first half of my book "La Nostra Costa". However, the screenplay, although inspired by historical (on the coast and in the world) events is fiction. Sempre Avanti. ivn0
Ivano: I noticed that your screenplay deals with Fascism. Isn't this a sensative subject to Italian Americans? Are you talking about Fascism in Europe or in America? SS
Sam: I deal with both. In my book "La Nostra Costa", I touch upon the influence that Mussolini and Fascism had "su per la costa".
In the screenplay I explore it further as to how it might have happend. Sempre Avanti. Ivn0
Dear Ivano:
Great to see you have finished your screenplay "Turbulent Quest".
It's a subject area dear to me too, as you know. Best of luck in
selling it to some producer. It will take a lot of patient persistence,
which I believe you have. And as you always say, "Sempre avanti".
Regards, Hugo
Re: Fascist Influence: Yes, Kap, we lived it, didn't we; having our relatives over there, and still seeing the influence here; in the music, support, etc. Have a great 4th. KK
Hey Ivano: I'm currently out of work and looking for a job. Do you think you have part for me in your movie?? JC
Hey Ivano: I'm out of work and looking for a job. Do you have a part for me in you play. JC
Gee Johnny C.: You must really be wanting for work --commenting twice on the topic.
I'm afraid the decision on who plays which part in the movie will be at the producer and/or directors discretion.
I admit that it is fun to speculate who might fill the roles.
Personally, I think Nicholas Cage would make a perfect Bronco. Problem is that "Bronco" is reknowned 'su per la costa' for singing Italian songs. Haven't heard NicK sing yet. How about Angelina Jolie as 'Valentina'. She looked simply amazing in those
1930s clothes in the "Changeling". An her acting wasn't bad either. Sempre Avanti ivn0
Ivan,
Congratulations on finishing your screenplay! That is really impressive. I enjoyed the book so much. Let us know when to look for the movie!
Anna
Hey Ivano:
Just want to comment re your comment re: a singing Nicholas Cage to play "Bronco". Do you remember the movie Captain Correlli and his Mandolin". He starred in that movie with Penelope Cruz. He played an Italian Officer and it was about the War. And as I recall, he sang in that movie.
HOWEVER no one could ever replace BRONCO (your Dad) with his strong voice , his up held arm in the air , and of course his " signature " cocked hat . Sempre Avanti RENO
Thanks Reno: Yes, you're right there will be only one Bronco. Of course, "Bronco" in my screenplay is modeled after him. Don't know if the real Bronco would appreciate what I have him doing in the screenplay. After all it s fiction. Sempre Avanti. ivno
Hei Reno, et.al. : I happened to see Captain Corelli's Mandolin on TV last nite.
I caught in the middle so I didn't hear Nicholas Cage sing. Maybe next time. However, I enjoyed the movie better this time around and Nicholas Cage (especially with his 5 o'clock shadow) in some of those scenes) does look like my father Bronco. Of course he was 9 years younger. Still I think he would make and excellent "Bronco". ivno
Hello, Ivano...
I think Nicholas Cage would make a wonderful Bronco....and, as you know, his uncle is Francis Ford Coppola...he'd be a good director, wouldn't he? Maybe you could send your script to Coppola. ....can't hurt to try.
Ciao for niao.
Ivano:
Love that movie! We actually own it. Nicholas Cage did a good job singing (we thought). LaN
Hey Ivano ,
After reading your comments on the movie 'Captain Correlli's Mandolin" , I got the urge to
see it again . The story was not that great , but you know me and the nostalgia to hear those songs.
Actually, my uncle John spent five years of the war in Greece , of course with arms and supplies , that never came from the central command , while the
Greek Army was getting help from the United States. According to my Uncle, he went 3 months in wet clothes , and sleeping in trenches never able to get dry
clothes.
Another Movie that comes to mind is the one you mention in your book, "El Alamein-The Line of Fire". This one really brought tears to my eyes . What the Italian (and German) army did to those poor soldiers --left them to die out there in the desert --like rats for over three years. Totally inhuman .
In one of the scenes s supply truck that the Italian soldies had been waiting for so long, turned out to be carrying only Mussolini's horse (which he was suppose to ride in a final victory parade over the Allies). I didn't know whether,
to laugh or cry seeing the expression , on those poor soldiers faces. Starving to death and no food or supplies in that truck except that horse. (The soldiers actually thought about killing the horse and eating him, but in the end they spared him.)
rdc
Hi Ivano,
Please be sure to let me know about the "picanica" in October! My friend Jeannine is also interested.
re Reno's comments below. I used to be in a Scottish Bagpipe Band (my Celtic heritage) as a piper and then later pipe major. I was the first female piper in this band at the time (Prince Charles Pipe Band WHO have played in our Morgan Hill July 4th Parade many times). Anyway, one of
the traditional bagpipe tunes is El Alamein!
thought you'd find that interesting!
Ciao e buoni auguri,
LaNannette
Thanks Nannette. Of course you know that the "Fulans" in Friuli were originally a Celtic Speaking People
(Before the Romans took over). I understand that they didn't much like the "bagapipas" so they developed "L'Armonica).
As for the 'picanica", were eyeing the middle of October. I will definitely let you know when the "LaNostraCosta" Committe finalizes the dated.
Sempre Avanti. Ivano
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