An homage to silent films
A silent, full-length movie locally filmed throughout Connecticut will premiere at the Mystic & Noank Library on Friday.
Directed by 2003 Fitch Senior High School grad Christopher Annino and produced by local production company Tag Team Friendship Productions, “Silent Times” is a story about Oliver Henry III (played by Westerly resident Geoff Blanchette), a small-time crook turned theater owner. Set in a 1920s fictional New England town, the film was created as an homage to the silent filming style of the ‘20s (it was filmed in black and white at a film speed of 46 frames per second) and inspired by historical figures such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton — actors that Annino says he considers true geniuses.
Annino, who has involved himself with many artistic and professional endeavors over the years (from acting and singing to bodybuilding and wrestling), took on the challenge of creating a silent film, stating that “actions speak louder than words.”
“As a cinematographer, I wanted the actors to show emotion or express everything with body language. No mouthing words but body language,” he says.
His driving inspirations behind the film, aside from Chaplin and Keaton, include vaudeville and burlesque performance styles, as well as jazz, Delta and ragtime blues — all of which will be featured throughout.
“Our goal was to educate about how modern music got its beginnings as well as highlight what vaudeville and burlesque was,” Annino says.
From a regional perspective, Annino has also worked with several locals to make the film come together. Helping him write the film were Veronica Convery, David Blair and Geoff Blanchette. Local actors featured are Brian Olsen, William Hine, Anna Convery, Danielle Conti, Erica Agnello, Bill McNally, Dexter Herron and New London drag queen Melody Lucas. A handful of World Wrestling Entertainment performers and bodybuilders such as Brian Blair and Ron Bass also appear throughout the film, as well as creator of the “Electric Slide” dance, Ric Silver, who now lives in Groton.
A donation of $5 is suggested. Proceeds will benefit both the Andrea Tegan Post Memorial Fund (a program headed by Christopher Annino that seeks to aid artists who are struggling financially) and Sails Up 4 Cancer, a cancer charity based in Mystic. An afterparty will also be held at The Jealous Monk restaurant in Olde Mistick Village following the premiere and a Q&A with Annino and the cast.
“Silent Times,” 6 p.m. Friday, Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic; suggested donation $5; (860) 536-7721, www.mysticnoanklibrary.org.