On Monday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m., leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Long Island International Film Expo, Long Island native Fred Carpenter’s “Just Like Joe” will screen at the historic Bellmore Movies located at 222 Pettit Ave. in Bellmore.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the writer, director and producer on his film, which is set in the era when Woodstock became legend and the peace, love and rock and roll generation was just starting out.
“Just Like Joe” is a poignant, coming-of-age story that will touch your heart.
Set in the tumultuous year of 1969, the film follows the lives of three 17-year old, high school football players bonded by friendship and their compelling need to find their place in a rapidly changing world.
Longing for a senior year filled with dating, the prom and football glory, their normal rites of passage run smack into the drama and uncertainty of the times — the military draft, evolving sexual mores, racial inequality and the possibly fighting in the Vietnam War.
With the encouragement of his blind father, star quarterback Paul Russo believes that the only way he can escape the draft is by winning an improbable football scholarship.
Tony shares Paul’s infectious enthusiasm for life, but has another obsession — his unrequited love.
And Frank struggles to learn about his roots and himself as a young black man living in a world of escalating racial prejudice and tension.
As different as these three teammates are, one extraordinary thing unites them above all else — their desire to be “just like Joe” as in Joe Namath, their iconic hero who was the ultra-cool, 1969 Super Bowl winning quarterback of the New York Jets and the personification of everything they could ever hope to be.
“Of the 23 movies I’ve done, ‘Just Like Joe’ is by far my favorite,” says Carpenter. “A moving story that touches the heart, it captures these teens playing in the shadow of the Vietnam War. Their worship of Joe Namath was their escape, as he was more popular than The Beatles or even the astronauts landing on the moon at that time in history.”
Carpenter’s newest film, “Dinosaur,” is a dramatic thriller about a day in the life of a veteran police officer who is trying to juggle his turbulent home life, the daily stresses of his job, and the apparent inevitable biker war that’s about to engulf his home town.
It stars Robert Clohessy (“Blue Bloods”), Chuck Zito (“Oz”), rocker Joan Jett, Ed Asner (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “UP!”), and Ciarán Sheehan (Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera”).
Now, as the talented director continues his incredibly successful film career, filmgoers will have a chance to catch his gem, “Just Like Joe.”
The Long Island International Film Expo will take place from July 12 through 20.
With a heavy celebrity presence, last year’s festival included a wide range of noted actors, actresses, and performers, such as Cathy Moriarty (“Raging Bull”), Kevin Brown (“30 Rock”), Robbie Rosen (“American Idol”), Ilene Kristen (“One Life to Live”), Phyllis Somerville (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Guiding Light”), Sal Rendino (“The Get Down” and “Couple of Guys”), and Larry Romano (“King of Queens”).
Other notable past LIIFE attendees have included Steve Buscemi (“Fargo,” “The Big Lebowski,” “Reservoir Dogs”), Ed Burns (“Saving Private Ryan,” “She’s The One”), Steve Guttenberg (“Police Academy”), and Ralph Macchio (“The Karate Kid”).
Focusing on the incredible talent of some of the best independent filmmakers, the expo offers networking opportunities, a 350-seat historic theater, a filmmakers lounge, and several discussion panels with topics ranging from distribution to scriptwriting.
Named “One of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine, LIIFE is one of Long Island’s most prestigious film festivals, screening over 100 independent films during its weeklong run.
The Long Island Film/TV Foundation, a not-for-profit, is also the foremost group providing support to the film, television and commercial industries on Long Island, and will be honoring several noted professionals in the film/entertainment/media industries this year.
For more information about the upcoming film expo, go to www.LongIslandFilmExpo.com.
