The Teaneck International Film Festival, Thursday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 17, presents a collection of compelling and imaginative feature-length films, documentaries and shorts from a variety of cultures, relating to the theme of “Activism: Making Change.” Go to www.teaneckfilmfestival.org for information.
TEANECK, N.J.—In episode three of “Godfather of Harlem,” Chris Brancato, Teaneck High School alumnus and a creator of the series—about Harlem kingpin Bumpy Johnson in the 1960s—acknowledges the town he grew up in. Before heading off to finish some illegal business, Bumpy tells his wife and daughter to go have some ice cream at Bischoff’s.
Bischoff’s—a fixture on Teaneck’s Cedar Lane for more than 70 years—will honor this native son by sponsoring the screening the pilot of “Godfather of Harlem” at the Teaneck International Film Festival, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4:50 p.m., at the Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck.
Chris will participate in a talkback moderated by Teaneck High School alumna, Francine Weinberg-Graff, daughter of New Jersey Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who is flying in from California for the festival.
“Godfather of Harlem” is based on a true story of turbulent times in the ’60s when Johnson tried to take control from the Mafia, and has been described by the LA Times as “fast-paced and captivating… [It] mines the tensions of the era with a character-driven tale that is as much about the human struggle as it is the goodfellas of New York.”
Plan to meet Brancato and see the pilot of the series starring Forest Whitaker as Bumpy, Giancarlo Esposito as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X, Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent ‘Chin’ Gigante, and a star-studded supporting cast.
Tickets for this bonus program—$8 in advance—are available online at www.teaneckfilmfestival.org and in person at Teaneck Cinemas on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. and Sundays, 1-3 p.m.