The Finellis Movie
The Finellis Movie is a 90-minute comedic film written and created by Mark Janicello that was released internationally on January 18, 2022..[1][2]
| The Finellis Movie | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Joris Hermans and Mark Janicello |
| Produced by | Mark Janicello
Marco Bischof Joris Hermans |
| Written by | Mark Janicello |
| Starring | Mark Janicello
Timo Merkhoffer, Bianca Karsten, Yollette Thomas-Wunder, Sophie-Rose Middleton, Gabriela Burkhardt, George Pollock, Phyllis Pastore, Trish Osmond, Erwin Bröderbauer, Dietmar Wunder, Kim Tatum, Mario Garcia, Kamary Phillips, Judith Shoemaker, Stan Holoubek, |
| Music by | Ulf Weidmann and Mark Janicello (Lyrics) |
| Cinematography | Matthias Zucker and Igor Andreevski |
| Edited by | Joris Hermans and Mark Janicello |
| Animation by | 908 Motion Design, Berlin |
Production companies | Marjan Content Productions |
| Distributed by | Premiere Digital Services |
Release date | January 18, 2022 |
Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | Germany |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $350,000 |
Search The Finellis Movie on Amazon.
Production History
Originally planned to be a 13-Episode television series,[3][4] a proof-of-concept pilot episode of The Finellis Sitcom was filmed in March 2016. In September of that year, the pilot episode was a featured presentation at the 2016 Berlin Serienale.[5][6][7] In October 2016, with the proof-of-concept pilot episode in hand, Janicello signed a distribution deal for the Sitcom with HG Distribution at MIPCOM in Cannes.[8] After testing audience response at various events, Janicello and HG Distribution did some recasting, Janicello rewrote the scripts and raised money to start filming. In December 2018, Janicello received a development grant for Sitcom from the Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg.[9] In January 2019, The Finellis Sitcom went back into production on location in and around Berlin, Germany.[10] Episode 1 was completely reshot, along with Episodes 2, 3 and certain storylines from Episodes 6, 7 and 11. In the Summer of 2021, Janicello signed a new distribution deal with Premiere Digital Services in Hollywood.[11] At Premiere's request, the decision was made to take the existing filmed material from the Sitcom and combine it with a newly-written, connecting storyline and turn all of the existing and newly-filmed material into The Finellis Movie.
Synopsis
Five years after being released from prison, on the opening night of his comeback performance in a new Broadway musical, Tony Finelli, gives an exclusive backstage interview to celebrity reporter Barbara Bischof for "Hollywood Hotline." During the course of their talk, Tony looks back at his extraordinary life. To save his family from being murdered by the Mafia, Tony, spent 15 years in a Berlin prison for a crime he didn't commit. After losing everything -- family, home and career- he set out on a bumpy journey to reclaim his life, and five years later, he's back on top.[12] [13][14]
Production History
Originally planned to be a 13-Episode television series,[3][4] a proof-of-concept pilot episode of The Finellis Sitcom was filmed in March 2016. In September of that year, the pilot episode was a featured presentation at the 2016 Berlin Serienale.[5][6][7] In October 2016, with the proof-of-concept pilot episode in hand, Janicello signed a distribution deal for the Sitcom with HG Distribution at MIPCOM in Cannes.[8] After testing audience response at various event
The Finellis and Scientology
Janicello, a former Scientologist, stars as Tony Finelli. The story of the film is loosely-based on Janicello's 2011 German-language Autobiography Nackt im Rampenlicht: mein Leben mit Sex, Singen und Scientology.[15] The book was later published in 2017 in English as Naked in the Spotlight: My Life with Sex, Singing and Scientology.[16] The book chronicles his 10-year involvement with Scientology, and the negative repercussions of his membership for his life and career,[17][18][19] Promoting the movie, Janicello was described as a former “Poster Boy” for the Church of Scientology, who received regular death threats, and [was] targeted for 16 years by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz).[20] In another interview, he was quoted saying:
"I [was] earning $60,000 a month playing Elvis in this musical when Scientology happened. I went from that to nothing. I didn’t get an audition anywhere — Germany, Switzerland or Austria, which were the main markets. I was blacklisted. I couldn’t pay my bills anymore; I couldn’t pay child support. At the same time, I went through a divorce. I lost everything at once."[21]
In another article Janicello elaborated on the connection between The Finellis and Scientology:
"The Finellis is a way for me to rewrite my own history," says Mark. “I am able to tell my story and share my pain by hiding behind Tony Finelli. My experience with Scientology was horrific. I lost everything...I asked Scientology to help, but they turned their backs and left me to die,” says Mark[22]
The Finellis SitCom 2016 Proof of Concept Cast
| Role | Cast |
|---|---|
| Tony Finelli | Mark Janicello |
| Tina Finelli | Anne Alexander-Sieder |
| Jürgen Drahtseil | Timo Merkhoffer |
| Lola Finelli | Katharina Sporrer |
| Lena Finelli | Gabriela Burkhardt |
The Finellis SitCom (2019) and The Finellis Movie (2021) Casts*
| Role | Year Filmed | Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Tony Finelli | 2019 | Mark Janicello |
| Tina Finelli | 2019 | Bianca Karsten |
| Jürgen Drahtseil | 2019 | Timo Merkhoffer |
| Lola Finelli | 2019 | Sopie-Rose Middleton |
| Lena Finelli | 2019 | Gabriela Burkhardt |
| Nonna D'Agostino | 2019 | Trish Osmond |
| Bea Finelli | 2019 | Phyllis Pastore |
| Pete Finelli | 2019 | George Pollock |
| Agent Schmitt | 2019 | Dietmar Wunder |
| Mr. Big | 2019 | Erwin Bröderbauer |
| Jorge Gutierrez | 2019 | Mario Garcia |
| Eva Klein-Gutierrez | 2019 | Kim Tatum |
| Young Lola | 2019 | Nola Hayes |
| Young Lena | 2019 | Yannick Worring |
| Mike Richards | 2019 | Kamary Phillips |
| Helga Brennfeuer | 2019 | Judith Shoemaker |
| Louise Ditzmann | 2019 | Melanie Stahkoph |
| Fat Louis | 2019 | Daniel Mele |
| Ingolf Lutschmann | 2019 | Stan Holoubek |
| Helmut Rachmann | 2019 | Rasmus Brander |
| Barbara Bischof* | 2021 | Yollette Thomas-Wunder* |
*Appears only in The Finellis Movie
The Finellis SitCom - Festivals, Awards and Nominations
The 2019 episodes of The Finellis SitCom were entered in numerous film and TV Festivals worldwide. The show won numerous prizes in different categories as listed below.[23][24][25]
| Festival | Year | Award | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| London International Filmmaker Festival | 2021 | Best TV/Web Series
Best Director of a Short Film- Joris Hermans Best Actor in a Short Film - Mark Janicello Best Supporting Actor in a Short Film - George Pollock Best Editing of a Short Film - Joris Hermans & Mark Janicello |
Won[26] Nominated
Nominated Nominated Nominated |
| Oz Indie Film Festival | 2021 | Best TV Series Pilot | Won[27] |
| Berlin International TV Festival | 2020 | Best Comedy Series | Semi-Finalist |
| 2019 | Out of competition Screening | World Premiere[28] | |
| Prague Int'l Monthly Film Festival - June | 2021 | Best Web/Television Series | Won[29] |
| Best Trailer | Nominated | ||
| Amsterdam World International Film Festival | 2020 | Best Television Series | Won[30] |
| Los Angeles Film Awards- April | 2020 | Best Web/TV Series Pilot | Won[31] |
| Best Comedy | Won | ||
| Portland Comedy Film Festival | 2020 | Best Comedy TV Episode or Sitcom | Nominated[32] |
| Cult Critic Movie Awards - July | 2020 | Best Television/Pilot Program or Series
Jean-Luc Godard Award (Best Television/Pilot Program or Series) |
Won[33]
Nominated[34] |
| Vegas Movie Awards - May | 2020 | Best Television Series Pilot | Won[25] |
| Best Song - "Here I Am Again" (M: Ulf Weidmann, L: Mark Janicello) | Won[35] | ||
| Best Director - Joris Hermans
Best Actor - Mark Janicello |
Nominated
Nominated | ||
| London International Motion Pictures Awards ( L.I.M.P.A) | 2020 | Best Pilot Series | Semi-Finalist[36] |
| London Independent Film Awards (L.I.F.A.) - June | 2020 | Best Web/TV Series Pilot "The Finellis" | Won[37] |
| Rome Film Awards | 2020 | Best Television Series
Best Song - "Here I Am Again" (M: Ulf Weidmann, L: Mark Janiello) |
Won[38] Finalist |
| SIMFEST - The Int'l TV Broadcasters & Independent Producers Festival | 2020 | Best Entertainment Series | Finalist[39] |
| German United Film Festival | 2020 | Best Television Series - "The Finellis" | Won[40] |
| After Hour Film Festival | 2020 | Best Television Series - "The Finellis" | Won[41] |
| Assurdo Film Festival - Milan, Italy - June | 2020 | Best Screenplay
Best Editing Best Trailer Best Poster |
Nominated[42] Nominated
Nominated Nominated |
| Vesuvius Int'l Monthly Film Festival - Naples, Italy - July | 2020 | Best Web/TV Series Pilot | Won |
| Best Script - Mark Janicello
Best Trailer |
Finalist
Finalist | ||
| Best Actor - Mark Janicello
Best Actress - Bianca Carsten Best Director - Joris Hermans Best Music - Ulf Weidmann |
Nominated
Nominated Nominated Nominated | ||
| DUMBO Film Festival - Brooklyn, NY | 2020 | Best Short Form Narrative Film | Nominated[43] |
| Gold Movie Awards London - August | 2021 | Best Television Series
Best Animation Best Director - Joris Hermans Best Actor - Mark Janicello Best Actress - Bianca Karsten Best Screenplay - Mark Janicello |
Nominated[44]
Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated Nominated |
| Peak City International Film Festival | 2020 | Best Foreign (Non-U.S.) Television Series Pilot | Won[45] |
| South Coast Film Festival | 2020 | Best Comedy SitCom
Best Comedy SitCom Script |
Won |
| Mediterranean Film Festival in Cannes | 2019 | Best Television Series | Honorable Mention[46] |
| New York City TV Festival | 2019 | Best Television Series | Won[47][48] |
| Best Director | Won | ||
| Best Actor- Mark Janicello
Best Actress - Bianca Karsten |
Nominated
Nominated | ||
| Berlin Serienale | 2016 | Out of competition Screening - Proof of Concept Episode | [49][50] |
The Finellis Movie and the LGBTQIA+ Community
The film has an 18-minute storyline involving Transgender Actress/Activist Kim Tatum.[51][52] Tatum's character Eva Gutierrez was based on Janicello's real-life friendship with German Transgender Performer Gloria Gray.[53] This storyline was positively received in the Trans community and written about in numerous LGBTQIA+ Press venues.[54][55]
References
- ↑ "The Finellis award winning comedy film debuts on January 18th 2022". Film-News.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ↑ Woodham, Karen (2021-12-06). "The Finellis first look trailer and stills". Blazing Minds. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Finellis SitCom (2016)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 ""The Finellis" A New American SitCom | World Film Presentation". worldfilmpresentation.com. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Finellis | Serie 2016 | Moviepilot". moviepilot.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "ANNE ALEXANDER SIEDER & KATHARINA SPORRER in "THE FINELLIS"". Friends Connection Agency (in Deutsch). 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Serienfestival 2016: Kino statt Couch". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2020-05-17.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mipcom 2016 news 3 by MIPMarkets - Issuu". issuu.com. October 18, 2016. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ↑ "Förderentscheidungen New Media". www.medienboard.de. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ↑ Murrenhoff, Sarah (2019-02-01). "Der Ritt ihres Lebens - Neue Sitcom über das bunte Berlin". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in Deutsch). ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ↑ The Finellis Movie (2022), retrieved 2023-05-01
- ↑ "The Finellis Movie | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ↑ The Finellis Movie (2022), retrieved 2024-03-17
- ↑ "Watch The Finellis Movie | Prime Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ↑ "Nackt im Rampenlicht". Ibera Verlag (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ↑ "Mark Janicello stars as Tony Finnelli in The Finellis, a film based on his real-life involvement with Scientology and the deadly fallout". Manchester TV. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ↑ "The Finellis - Scientology and the deadly fallout". Movie-Blogger.com. 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ↑ SuperEditor (2021-12-07). "Mark Janicello stars as Tony Finnelli in The Finellis, a film based on his real-life involvement with Scientology and the deadly fallout". South West News. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ↑ "Scientology-Aussteiger erzählt: Mein schwerer Kampf raus aus der Sekte". bild.de (in Deutsch). September 2, 2020. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ↑ Ago, 1 Year. ""The Finellis" Award Winning Comedy Film Coming to Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Google Play 18th January 2022". pressroom.journolink.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ↑ Chatterjee, Anamika. "What The Finellis Movie teaches you about rebuilding life". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
- ↑ "Mark Janicello stars as Tony Finnelli in The Finellis, a film based on his real-life involvement with Scientology and the deadly fallout". Manchester TV. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ↑ "April 2020". LA Film Awards. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ↑ "June 2020". 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 "WINNERS | Vegas Movie Awards". VegasMovieAwards.
- ↑ "London". Film Fest International. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ↑ "Oz Indie Film Festival". Retrieved 2021-03-12.
- ↑ "SCREENINGS". Berlin TV SERIES FESTIVAL | 12th-16th June 2019 | Berlin. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
- ↑ "JUNE 2020". PIMFF. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved 2020-07-29. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Amsterdam World Online - Screening Links Included.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ↑ "April 2020". LA Film Awards. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ↑ "Portland Comedy Film Festival Fall 2020". Film Festival Circuit. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ "MONTHLY RESULT: JULY 2020". Cult Critic. 2020-08-24. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ↑ "JEAN LUC GODARD AWARD NOMINEES 2020". Cult Critic. 2020-11-07. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- ↑ "WINNERS | Vegas Movie Awards".
- ↑ "Official Selection 2020 – L.I.M.P.A". Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ↑ "Winners June 2020". July 15, 2020.
- ↑ "Rome Online Screening - Website Program.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
- ↑ dan. "Competiție Oficială & Proiecții speciale". Simfest (in română). Retrieved 2020-09-14.
- ↑ "German United Online Screening - Website Program.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
- ↑ "Season 2". AHFF. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ admin (2020-07-05). "June 2020". Assurdo Film Festival (in italiano). Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ↑ "2020 Official Selection | Dumbo Film Festival". Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ "Gold Movie Awards (2020)". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ DemersTalent (2020-11-01), 2020 PCIFF Red Carpet Gaddy Awards Show, retrieved 2020-11-02
- ↑ "Winners 2019". mffcannes. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
- ↑ "WINNERS TV SHOWS & SCRIPTS 2019 – NYCTVF". Retrieved 2020-07-29.
- ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
- ↑ "Sitcom "The Finellis" feiert Weltpremiere bei Berliner "Serienale"". StagePool (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ↑ "The Finellis | Serie 2016". moviepilot.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2021-04-09.
- ↑ "Kim Tatum announced as presenter of LGBTQ+ Champion Award". Black British Theatre Awards. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ↑ "CONTRIBUTORS". Soul Pride. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ↑ Higham, Richard (2022-01-09). "'It's About Being Me!' Review of The Finellis Movie and its Trans-storyline". transliving.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ↑ Higham, Richard (2022-01-09). "Transliving Interntaional". Transliving International Celebrating Gender Diversity. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
- ↑ chrysalismama (2022-01-20). "Introducing "The Finellis!" Music, Humor, and LGBTQIA -Oh, Yes!". Chrysalis Mama. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
External links
- The Finellis Movie on IMDb
- The Finellis Official Website
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