Yesterday, over French toast at the Nest Diner in Mattapoisett, Jim and Steve Jermanok talked about how the movie came to be, who is in it and how important "getting it right," Portuguese-style, is to them. "The Portuguese here are going to be very proud of this film," Jim said. "We're very indebted to them." The movie will celebrate Portuguese culture, complete with music, dance, food and characters occasionally speaking Portuguese (with English subtitles). The brothers, non-Portuguese natives of Schenectady, N.Y., wrote the screenplay. Jim is also executive producer, second in command behind producer David Bakalar. Asked about the movie's title, which has been changing, the brothers noodled the question as they dug into breakfast. Clearly, it is neither a settled matter nor a high priority at this point. Originally known as "Sally's Gamble," the film also has been called "Passionata" and "Passionado." Those aren't Portuguese words, and Sally is hardly a typical Portuguese name. Still, the brothers insist they are doing all they can to ensure the movie's authenticity -- in part because it is the right thing to do, but also, they say, because they have come to really like the city. "We're disturbed by films that aren't historically and ethnically accurate," said
Jim. "How
much extra work is it to call someone knowledgeable and find out the right
information?" Steve added. To that end, the production has turned, at
times, for help from local experts on Portuguese culture. Two years ago, Mr. Bakalar, a Massachusetts-based producer, came to the Jermanoks with the idea for a story about the Portuguese in New Bedford. The brothers spent two weeks here doing research in 1999, aided by Arthur Motta, the city's marketing and tourism chief. From fishing boats to sweet bread to Herman Melville, the Jermanoks were smitten. "We absolutely adored the city from the start," Steven said. "It's the real thing," Jim added, "and the real thing is increasingly elusive in America. "The community has been very supportive and friendly," Jim said, citing particular assistance from Mr. Motta and Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz Jr. "I can't say enough about the people of New Bedford and their kindness." Last weekend, more than 1,100 hopefuls came to the waterfront for an open casting call for extras. And now, the Jermanoks say, the casting of principal actors has fallen into place. Here is who will star:
producer, theater director
and a top-ranked talent agent. Although the
brothers, both in their 30s, have penned several scripts,
"Passionada" is the first to be produced. They are
excited to be making "the first movie to predominantly portray the Portuguese
in New Bedford and in America," Jim said. He added
that the movie will try to accurately reflect the city's demographics,
featuring Cape Verdeans, for example, as well as the Portuguese. Jim noted
that out of the $5 million budget, up to $2 million will be spent locally -- to
feed, house and transport the cast and crew, and to purchase goods and services
for the production. Between now
and Monday's start of shooting, the film crew will be out on "tech
shoots," where they visit locations to determine what equipment will be
needed. Rehearsals also are under way.