Previewing films with film experts

Adam Lidgett

The Gold Coast Arts Center has announced two speakers to talk after the screenings of the films the center has chosen for its upcoming Furman Film Series.

Fabio Troisi, attaché for Cultural Affairs at the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, and Keshet Starr, director of Advocacy and Legal Strategy at the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot, will speak after the screenings of “The Mafia Only Kills in Summer” and “Gett: the Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” respectively, said Regina Gil, the center’s executive director. 

Gil said part of the joy of the Furman series is not only the fact that the films are previews, but also that people from the film industry or experts on something the film is about get to discuss the films after they are previewed. 

“It makes the experience much more enriched when the audience can ask questions,” Gil said. “The format is along lines of the ‘Actors Studio.’”

Gil said the speakers shed some light on a film from their perspective with presentations of up to 15 minutes. Gil said the audience then has the opportunity to ask questions. 

“Probably the most interesting part is the post-screening discussion,” Gil said. “People can ask the questions that never get answered in reviews.”

“The Mafia Only Kills In Summer” is about a young boy named Arturo who becomes obsessed with the Mafia’s presence in his city, according to the arts center. The film uses this plot to illustrate the tragic history of organized crime in Italy, especially in the 1970s. The film will play Jan. 22. 

“Gett: the Trial of Viviane Amsalem” tells the story of an Israeli woman trying to finalize a divorce from her estranged husband, and who eventually is put on trial for it, according to the center. The film will be screened Feb. 5. 

The films will be screened at 7:30 p.m. both nights at Bow Tie Squire Cinemas at 115 Middle Neck Road in Great Neck. 

Tickets are $15 – $10 for students – when purchased in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 516-829-2570. 

Gil said the speakers can talk on any subject they like. She said in the past speakers have talked about how the film relates to the actual situation portrayed in the film. 

“Basically they fill in the blanks on what period is or what is true or how true the film is to life,” Gil said. “It’s extremely illuminating.”

Gil said she has connections to many of the entities whose representatives speak at the film festival, including the Italian Cultural Institute and the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot.

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