"It's your life....it's your money. You worked hard.....now have some fun! Emmy Award-winning director seeks investor for indie film with stars."

Evidently he found at least one investor. Toss in actors Dominic Chianese (aka Uncle Junior and Big Pussy from "The Sopranos") and you've got the makings for a hit (no pun intended).

This riveting, provocative crime flick unfolds exclusively in Astoria, NY. It's the story of an ex-con who returns home to find one brother OD'd on heroin, his other brother hooked on it and his former junkie girlfriend married to the local drug lord.

Not guilty of the rap that landed him in the stir, Ryan (Michael Rodrick of "Desolation Angels") naturally becomes the film's hero. When Ryan attempts to set things right, all hell breaks loose. Druglord Vincent (Jonathan LaPaglia) enjoys the status quo and finds Ryan a real pain in the derriere. Sparks fly, people die and Ryan ends up saving the day with a little help fr om his priest (Dominic Chianese of "Godfather II")

"Under Hellgate Bridge" is one of those rare films that puts you smack in the middle of what's happening. Sergio has a unique ability to make you feel the pain- he inflicts it on you, right through the lens.

Sergio describes this film as a cross between "Shane" and "Goodfellas." He also asked director of photography Leland Krane to make a movie that looked like "Serpico," "The Godfather" and "Donnie Brasco" - an almost unimaginable feat given the extremely limited budget. Armed merely with a 35-mm camera, the former gaffer rose to the occasion to help create a mobster masterpiece.

The film has an acute air of authenticity. Having spent a week drinking Thunderbird under Hellgate Bridge after being kicked out of four high schools, Sergio clearly knows his turf. the savvy casting also helps make things beleivable. The thugs seem real comfortable in their own skins. Sergio also takes advantage of typecasting. We've seen most of these actors in mobster movies before; when we see them again, we already know they're not nice.

What started out as a want ad is now an award-winning piece of celluloid. "Under Hellgate Bridge' captured the best film prize at the Nashville Independent Film Festival, and closer to home, played out to sold-out audiences at this year's Sarasota Film Festival. Aside from all those accolades, I really liked it.

Pam Nadon graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in English, has served as a film analyst in a series of classes and is a member of the American Film Institute.

The Longboat Observer