September 28, 2010 (New York, NY) – VITO AFTER (aka: Vito After: A 9/11 Responder Copes in the Aftermath), an award-winning documentary, will be screening tonight at the Anthology Film Archives, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th at 7:00pm (32 Second Ave., at 2nd St). Director/producer/ writer Maria Pusateri and former NYPD detective Vito Friscia—the main subject of the film and Pusateri’s brother-in-law—will be attending for a Q&A session following the screening, and an afterparty nearby.(Interviews prior to screening by request.) Two short documentary films will be shown before VITO AFTER, in the NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and Television) sponsored screening program entitled “Living in the Aftermath of 9/11”.
The highly-praised VITO AFTER has had several local screenings this month to commemorate the 9th anniversary of September 11th. For filmmaker Pusateri, these screenings also represent a tribute to the thousands of 9/11 responders, volunteers and others from all over the country who are still suffering, or who have died, from 9/11-related illnesses. The film follows Friscia during the two years following his 9/11 rescue and recovery work as he copes and refocuses his life with support from his family, friends and colleagues. The film has been rated four stars by Filmcritic.com who calls it "An intriguing and powerful documentary that uses one man's story to personalize the devastating aftermath from [9/11]."
The 9/11 Health Bill will be voted upon again this week, and, hopefully, will finally be passed. Vito Friscia said: “It’s a disgrace that it’s taken this long to get these devastated responders the help they need.” Pusateri is grateful that Vito isn’t as gravely ill as so many who are suffering serious 9/11-related illnesses. “However, thousands of people like him continue to cope with chronic 9/11-related ailments,” says Pusateri, “and they’re left wondering whether their conditions will worsen, if they’ll develop a life-threatening illness, and if so, will they get the help they’ll need.”
Pusateri hopes her film will help bring greater awareness to the plight of the 9/11 responders: “People have already forgotten that the rescue and recovery workers worked tirelessly, under daunting conditions, sacrificing their safety, their emotional and physical health—and their lives, to help bring closure to victims’ families. They are truly unsung heroes.”
WHAT: SCREENING AND Q&A, “VITO AFTER” (aka “VITO AFTER: A 9/11 RESPONDER COPES IN THE AFTERMATH” - INTERVIEWS w/ FILMMAKER, MARIA PUSATERI and FILM’S MAIN CHARACTER, FORMER NYPD DET. VITO FRISCIA
WHEN: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th - 7:00PM (screening starts) (Q&A approx. 8:10-8:30pm)
*INTERVIEWS BEFORE SCREENING UPON REQUEST STARTING 5:30PM, CALL 516-729-7455
32 SECOND AVE. (AT 2ND ST) , NYC
(AFTERPARTY FOR ATTENDEES AT DEMPSEY’S PUB, 61 Second Ave., NYC)
For additional information about VITO AFTER and to view trailers, visit www.vitoafter.com.
NYWIFT SCREENING INFO: “Living in the Aftermath of 9/11”.
DVD and high-res images available upon request.
DVD and high-res images available upon request.
ABOUT THE FILM:
VITO AFTER takes a vital look at the emotional impact of 9/11 and the emerging health crisis by going beyond the headlines and focusing on one NYPD detective's personal struggle. Vito Friscia, a dedicated homicide detective and devoted family man, selflessly helped others on September 11th, and then spent months sifting through toxic rubble hoping to bring closure to victims’ families. The film follows Friscia for almost two years as he copes in the aftermath, with the support of loved ones and colleagues. This intimate portrait of an everyday hero reveals a powerful renewal of the human spirit and insight into the lives of thousands of responders who are paying an emotional and physical price for their bravery.
FilmCritic.com rated the film four stars, calling it, "An intriguing and powerful documentary that uses one man's story to personalize the devastating aftermath from [9/11]." Vito After was chosen to be part of the 9/11 film collection in the library of the USS NEW YORK, the battleship forged with steel from the World Trade Center. The film had its international premiere on September 11th this year in London at the FD4W Film Festival, and has been an official selection at numerous film festivals in the United States over the past five years, including the Vermont International, Rochester High Falls, and Global Peace Film Festivals. VITO AFTER received the Best Documentary Award at the Long Island Film Expo in 2006. The film is being distributed by Tribeca Film Institute’s Reframe Collection.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Maria Pusateri is the writer/director/producer/
Prior to creating her debut documentary, Vito After, Maria was an associate producer at Cablevision for MetroTV’s Unblinking Eye, where she earned several Omni and Communicator Awards, plus a New York Emmy nomination for Programming About the Arts. The nomination was forFood For Thought, a play reading series featuring Elaine Stritch, Judith Light and John Shea, among others. Pusateri created over 40 shows forUnblinking Eye, covering cultural arts events in and around New York City, from literary arts to music and film. Her work included producing, directing and conducting interviews, ranging from man-on-the street to celebrities, such as Harrison Ford, Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. Pusateri also directed and produced lifestyle segments, shopping tips and film reviews for the channel. Maria’s film production credits include wearing many hats on the sets of the short "Kung Fu Granny," and "Split Ends," a feature film directed by Dorothy Lyman.
Ms. Pusateri is a programmer for New York Women in Film and Television’s (NYWIFT) film series and has served on their documentary committee. Pusateri is developing her next documentary project which will explore the educational gap in low-income communities, and works freelance in TV production and P/R. Maria is currently assisting Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Cynthia Wade (Freeheld), with her upcoming HBO documentary about women and cancer.
