MICHAEL FRANZESE, SON OF COLOMBO CRIME FAMILY UNDERBOSS JOHN “SONNY” FRANZESE, RECOUNTS HIS SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION IN TRUE LIFE DRAMA,
GOD THE FATHER
HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED MOVIE HITS THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 31, 2014 THROUGH ROCKY MOUNTAIN PICTURES
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(LOS ANGELES, Calif.) Sept. 16, 2014 – Rocky Mountain Pictures presents the riveting true life drama, God The Father. Opening in theaters nationwide on October 31, 2014, God The Father takes audiences on the ‘untold’ personal journey into the life and spiritual transformation of Michael Franzese, a young and charismatic Capo in the Colombo crime family during the 1980’s-90’s, who’s notorious father Sonny Franzese was also a renowned Underboss. It’s a true story about mafia, money, love, loyalty and God.
God The Father is narrated by Franzese himself and his story is told through a unique blend of archival footage, interviews, re-enactments, and animation. The film stars Tom Knight (“Doctors,” Amazing Grace, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, “EastEnders”), Bashar Rahal (The Expendables 3, The Legend of Hercules), George Georgiou (300: Rise of an Empire, Game of Thrones, Mamma Mia!), and Amanda Fernando Stevens (Cloud 9, Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy). Co-written by Franzese and Moshe Diamant (The Black Dahlia, Tristan + Isolde), the true life drama is produced by Diamant, directed by Simon Fellows, and executive produced by Sagiv Diamant, Kevin Flannagan and Jonas McCord. The cinematographer is Academy Award-winner Vilmos Zsigmond (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Long Goodbye, The River).
“Rocky Mountain Pictures is excited about working with the filmmakers of God The Father and the marketing team they have put together,” says Randy Slaughter, president of Rocky Mountain Pictures. “It’s a true story of redemption and one we hope will move many people to want to share Michael’s life experience with family and friends.”
The movie follows Franzese, son of Colombo underboss John “Sonny” Franzese, who drops out of college to become a mobster and eventually a captain in the Colombo crime family making over $1 billion in undocumented income for “the family.” While serving time in “the hole” in prison for racketeering, extortion, and tax fraud, Franzese discovers the Bible. Devouring its contents, he finds parallels between its teachings and his own experiences in the ‘Life’ translating into Franzese developing his own unique religious perspective and faith.
“I was honored to join the filmmakers in order to convey the depth of Michael’s unique story through my own personal style of cinematography,” Zsigmond said. “I was drawn to every single element of filmmaking – archival, reenactments, animation and dance and wanted to embroil that message through the lens, to bring the message out to the masses the right way. I have never worked on such a cinematically unique picture.”
Etchie Stroh, president of Moonstone Entertainment, the International distributor for the film adds, “God The Father is a perfectly crafted movie category of its own. It’s a unique look into the reality of the underworld through news reel footage combined with powerful graphic novel animation. Reenactment adds a motion picture flavor, while short dance sequences give the film an artistic ‘spice.’”
Highlighting themes of endurance, perseverance, redemption and faith, God The Father is specifically designed to show the more violent aspect of the story in a subtle and intelligent way for audiences.
“I spent over 20 years on the street, every day in violation of both God’s laws and the laws of man,” says Franzese. “I could have easily been dead or in prison for the rest of my life like most all of my former associates. The fact that I am both alive and free makes me one of the most fortunate, blessed men alive. God the Father tells my story in a most unique and entertaining way. The producers held nothing back. I’m excited about it and I believe you will be, too.”
For the latest news, updates and a list of opening cities for God The Father, please visit:
Website: http://godthefathermovie.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godthefathermovie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/seegodthefather
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EH9hncelxonMYTOB2IHZg
About Michael Franzese
Following in his father’s footsteps, in the mid-1980s, Fortune Magazine listed Franzese as number 18 on its list of the “Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses.” According to a Federal report, Franzese made more money for a crime family than anyone since Chicago Outfit boss Al Capone. A revelation that his own father went along with the hit on him, the love for his family and a realizing his life was heading one way like every other mob guy before him, straight to St. Johns Cemetery in Queens, New York, Franzese took the decision to leave the ‘Life.’ An act thought impossible, he publicly walked away from the Colombo family and organized crime.
Today, Franzese speaks to audiences across the country about his past and transformation through a Christian ministry called Outreach and works diligently to re-direct the lives of at-risk-youth through his charitable organization, Michael Franzese Ministries. Franzese has also authored several books about his life, including “Quitting the Mob,” “Blood Covenant,” “I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse,” and “The Good, the Bad, and the Forgiven.”