On the surface, The Featherweight appears to be a documentary about Willie Pep, a legendary featherweight boxer, at a point in his career during which he is post-retirement but looking to make a comeback. Looking more closely, The Featherweight is an exploration of the nature of fame, authenticity, and perception of the self.
From the beginning, the audience is led to believe that it is a documentary. Everything has been meticulously crafted to make it seem as if it had been filmed in the 1960’s. The settings, backgrounds, clothing, the way people talk, the graininess of the film—all of it comes together beautifully here. Indeed, there are also actual clips of the real Willie Pep in the ring peppered into the film at many points, seamlessly intertwined with the film’s footage.
The scenes don’t feel scripted. There is an organic way that the characters in scenes move and speak. People stumble on their words, stutter, and speak in a way that feels natural without being disruptive or distracting from the action of the scene. The filmmakers are toeing a line between mimicking the feel of real life while maintaining a cohesive narrative, which is not an easy feat to accomplish.
In the New Jersey International Film Festival’s Q&A with Director Robert Kolodny and Producer Bennett Elliot, it’s mentioned that it was a challenge to get actors to remember to look at the camera, since actors are usually trained to not do that at all costs. Interestingly, some of the characters who were not played by professional actors had an easier time adjusting to this.
The Featherweight’s uncanny sense of realness is due in no small part to James Madio’s performance as Willie Pep. The moment he appears, he immediately lights up the screen, commanding the attention of the camera and becoming the center of the action. There’s a distinct impression that Willie Pep loves the camera and loves the attention. He beams while he recounts the highlights of his career, making quips and showing off. He quickly brushes off anything that suggests that those days are long gone, hiding signs of his rapidly diminishing wealth from the camera.
Speaking of which, the camera itself and the people behind it play a significant role in The Featherweight. The camera itself is a character in this film. Its placement and point of view are those of the audience, but where they differ is in the camera’s ability to influence the on-screen characters. Some of these interactions are the most amusing moments of the film. Mama Papaleo, while making dinner, asks the cameramen if they’d like some food. Billy Papaleo, Willie’s troubled son, grabs the boom and speaks into it while making direct eye contact with the camera. Linda Papaleo, Willie’s wife, glances at the camera suggestively before kissing her husband.
A truly standout feature of The Featherweight is its characters and their relationship dynamics. The Featherweight takes its time setting up the context in which these characters interact. Linda makes a great foil to Willie’s character. Half his age, and dreaming of becoming an actress, Linda hopes to establish a career while Willie is desperately trying to rekindle his own. Billy Papaleo, refusing to put on a show for the camera, wants no part of any of this, and Willie’s pursuit of fame disgusts him. These elements and more come together to brew up a perfect storm of conflict.
With its layers of narrative and unique storytelling, The Featherweight is a memorable watch. It’s a definite standout among films of the same genre. Through its compelling performances, bewitching cinematography, and multi-faceted characters, The Featherweight is a knockout, pun intended.
The Featherweight screens at the 2024 New Jersey International Film Festival on Sunday, June 1, 2024 – Online for 24 Hours on this day and In-Person at 7:00PM in Milledoler Hall #100/Rutgers University, 520 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ. The Featherweight Director Robert Kolody, Producer Bennett Elliot will be on hand to do a Q+A after the In-Person screening! For more info and tickets go here.
The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, presents the 2024 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks its 29th Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 31 - June 9, 2024 and will be a hybrid one with online as well as in-person screenings at Rutgers University. All the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person screenings. The in-person screenings will be held in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ beginning at 5PM or 7PM on their show date. Note: The Screenings on June 1 will be in Milledoler Hall #100/ Rutgers University, 520 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ.
Plus, The NJIFF is very proud to announce that acclaimed singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler will be in concert on Saturday, June 15 in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ at 7PM. General Admission Ticket=$15 Per Program; Festival All Access Pass=$120; In-Person Only Student Ticket=$10 Per Program.; General Admission Marissa Nadler Concert Ticket=$25.
For more info go here: https://2024newjerseyinternationalfilmfestival.eventive.org/welcome
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