Page 49 - Antiques and Collectibles September 2019 Historic Hudson Valley
P. 49
Feast of the Seven Fishes Movie Slated for November Release
S hout! Studios has secured the rights to Feast of
the Seven Fishes, the comedy-drama written
and directed by Robert Tinnell, based on his
Eisner-nominated graphic novel and Italian holiday
cookbook, profiled during its filming in my March
2018 column.
The movie is set days before Christmas in 1983
as the Oliverio family readies their traditional
Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. During the
festivities, young Tony Oliverio falls for an Ivy
Leaguer, but things don’t go well as the family and
his and her exes disapprove of the union.
It will begin a theatrical day-and-date run in
November 2019.
“Robert Tinnell’s funny and heartwarming film Feast of the Seven Fishes, Day 61, comic strip written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Alex Saviuk.
will be a perennial Christmas classic. You don’t The strip told its story, now adapted into the film, in 120 daily entries. Image courtesy Allegheny Image Factory
need to be Italian to recognize your own family in
this offbeat, endearing and nostalgic trip back “The strip was a lot of fun to do. People reacted was also half cookbook, debuted in 2005. The ups
well to it at the time, and it’s exciting that Bob’s and downs of the ensuing 14 years did nothing to
to the 1980s,” Jordan Fields, Vice President of
dissuade him that there was a great movie in his story.
Acquisitions at Shout! Studios, said. finally reached his dream of it being a movie,”
Shout! Factory secured the rights for theatrical, Saviuk said. In 2006, Tinnell and his wife, Shannon, who
video on demand, and other formats in the US and From the outset, Tinnell said he knew what he authored the cookbook portion of the hardcover
Canada. The movie is set for release in November wanted to do with the property. That hasn’t collection, staged the Feast of the Seven Fishes festival
2019. The movie was executive produced by Joseph changed now that the movie has been completed. in Fairmont, WV. From fairly modest beginnings,
E. LoConti, Sean Thomas O’Brien, and Erick “Regardless of how the film is received, I don’t it has turned into an acclaimed annual event with
Factor, along with producers John Michaels, Jeffrey need anyone to tell me that it's kind of unique in a thousands in attendance and chefs from many
Tinnell, and Robert Scott Witty. number of ways, at least in the current climate. It’s different venues around the nation.
Feast of the Seven Fishes stars Skyler Gisondo definitely not a Hallmark Christmas movie. Also, The film project started finally coming together
in late 2017.
(Booksmart), Madison Iseman (Annabelle Coming people have these stereotypical notions of what
Home), Josh Helman (X-Men: Days of Future Past), West Virginia is like and they don't realize the rich “Anyone who has worked in the industry—
Italian culture there,” he said.
Addison Timlin (Startup), Ray Abruzzo particularly as a writer/director—for any meaning-
(The Sopranos), Andrew Schulz (Sneaky ful length of time knows that it can take a
Pete), David Kallaway (Logan), and Lynn really, really long time to get a project
Cohen (Catching Fire), with Joe made. People often mention Platoon,
Pantoliano (Sense8), and Paul Ben-Victor which was around forever and rejected by
(The Irishman). all the studios and mini-majors for years.
The online comic strip’s journey to the But also, for me, this was such a personal
screen was not uncomplicated. story and one that I was really compelled
Before launching the comic strip to tell. Every year I cook this meal on
version of Feast online on Labor Day, Christmas Eve and build new memories
2004, Tinnell had produced, written and with my family, so it’s never really receded
directed features as well as almost into the past for me,” Tinnell said.
countless music videos in their heyday. He “More than anything, I know it was
turned his attention to graphic novels, because I wouldn’t give up on directing
experiencing critical acclaim with The the film. People thought we needed an
Black Forest, The Wicked West, their Paul Ben-Victor (left), Joe Pantoliano (center), established comedy director, as opposed
respective sequels, and others. The comic and Madison Iseman (right) in Robert Tinnell’s to me, a veteran director telling a personal
strip was made available free online. Feast of the Seven Fishes. Image courtesy of Shout! Studios story. Weird but there you have it,” he said.
Artist Alex Saviuk, a comic book
industry veteran often lauded for his run on Web of With its rough edges, flawed characters, and
Spider-Man for Marvel Comics, illustrated the dysfunctional family dynamics, Feast of the Seven
second half of Feast of the Seven Fishes. Having spent Fishes is a very human story of ins and outs of
the better part of a career drawing heroes in capes relationships and family during the holidays. At its
and spandex, he said he was immediately drawn— core, though, it is a Christmas tale rooted in
no pun intended—to the humanity of the characters. Tinnell’s Italian heritage, something he said deeply J.C. Vaughn is the Vice-President of Publishing
colored his upbringing in West Virginia.
He said just from the character descriptions for Gemstone Publishing. Gemstone’s Amanda
Tinnell provided he knew it was going to be an The comic strip concluded its story after 120 Sheriff also contributed to this column.
interesting assignment. days, and the collected edition hardcover, which
September 2019 47
S hout! Studios has secured the rights to Feast of
the Seven Fishes, the comedy-drama written
and directed by Robert Tinnell, based on his
Eisner-nominated graphic novel and Italian holiday
cookbook, profiled during its filming in my March
2018 column.
The movie is set days before Christmas in 1983
as the Oliverio family readies their traditional
Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. During the
festivities, young Tony Oliverio falls for an Ivy
Leaguer, but things don’t go well as the family and
his and her exes disapprove of the union.
It will begin a theatrical day-and-date run in
November 2019.
“Robert Tinnell’s funny and heartwarming film Feast of the Seven Fishes, Day 61, comic strip written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Alex Saviuk.
will be a perennial Christmas classic. You don’t The strip told its story, now adapted into the film, in 120 daily entries. Image courtesy Allegheny Image Factory
need to be Italian to recognize your own family in
this offbeat, endearing and nostalgic trip back “The strip was a lot of fun to do. People reacted was also half cookbook, debuted in 2005. The ups
well to it at the time, and it’s exciting that Bob’s and downs of the ensuing 14 years did nothing to
to the 1980s,” Jordan Fields, Vice President of
dissuade him that there was a great movie in his story.
Acquisitions at Shout! Studios, said. finally reached his dream of it being a movie,”
Shout! Factory secured the rights for theatrical, Saviuk said. In 2006, Tinnell and his wife, Shannon, who
video on demand, and other formats in the US and From the outset, Tinnell said he knew what he authored the cookbook portion of the hardcover
Canada. The movie is set for release in November wanted to do with the property. That hasn’t collection, staged the Feast of the Seven Fishes festival
2019. The movie was executive produced by Joseph changed now that the movie has been completed. in Fairmont, WV. From fairly modest beginnings,
E. LoConti, Sean Thomas O’Brien, and Erick “Regardless of how the film is received, I don’t it has turned into an acclaimed annual event with
Factor, along with producers John Michaels, Jeffrey need anyone to tell me that it's kind of unique in a thousands in attendance and chefs from many
Tinnell, and Robert Scott Witty. number of ways, at least in the current climate. It’s different venues around the nation.
Feast of the Seven Fishes stars Skyler Gisondo definitely not a Hallmark Christmas movie. Also, The film project started finally coming together
in late 2017.
(Booksmart), Madison Iseman (Annabelle Coming people have these stereotypical notions of what
Home), Josh Helman (X-Men: Days of Future Past), West Virginia is like and they don't realize the rich “Anyone who has worked in the industry—
Italian culture there,” he said.
Addison Timlin (Startup), Ray Abruzzo particularly as a writer/director—for any meaning-
(The Sopranos), Andrew Schulz (Sneaky ful length of time knows that it can take a
Pete), David Kallaway (Logan), and Lynn really, really long time to get a project
Cohen (Catching Fire), with Joe made. People often mention Platoon,
Pantoliano (Sense8), and Paul Ben-Victor which was around forever and rejected by
(The Irishman). all the studios and mini-majors for years.
The online comic strip’s journey to the But also, for me, this was such a personal
screen was not uncomplicated. story and one that I was really compelled
Before launching the comic strip to tell. Every year I cook this meal on
version of Feast online on Labor Day, Christmas Eve and build new memories
2004, Tinnell had produced, written and with my family, so it’s never really receded
directed features as well as almost into the past for me,” Tinnell said.
countless music videos in their heyday. He “More than anything, I know it was
turned his attention to graphic novels, because I wouldn’t give up on directing
experiencing critical acclaim with The the film. People thought we needed an
Black Forest, The Wicked West, their Paul Ben-Victor (left), Joe Pantoliano (center), established comedy director, as opposed
respective sequels, and others. The comic and Madison Iseman (right) in Robert Tinnell’s to me, a veteran director telling a personal
strip was made available free online. Feast of the Seven Fishes. Image courtesy of Shout! Studios story. Weird but there you have it,” he said.
Artist Alex Saviuk, a comic book
industry veteran often lauded for his run on Web of With its rough edges, flawed characters, and
Spider-Man for Marvel Comics, illustrated the dysfunctional family dynamics, Feast of the Seven
second half of Feast of the Seven Fishes. Having spent Fishes is a very human story of ins and outs of
the better part of a career drawing heroes in capes relationships and family during the holidays. At its
and spandex, he said he was immediately drawn— core, though, it is a Christmas tale rooted in
no pun intended—to the humanity of the characters. Tinnell’s Italian heritage, something he said deeply J.C. Vaughn is the Vice-President of Publishing
colored his upbringing in West Virginia.
He said just from the character descriptions for Gemstone Publishing. Gemstone’s Amanda
Tinnell provided he knew it was going to be an The comic strip concluded its story after 120 Sheriff also contributed to this column.
interesting assignment. days, and the collected edition hardcover, which
September 2019 47
