THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, CITY OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

VINCENT A. CIANCI, JR.

MAYOR OF PROVIDENCE

CONTACT: DOREEN PICOZZI/BERYL KENYON, 421-7740, EXT. 222

PROVIDENCE -- Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. today announced that Tax Day, a film by Providence-based writer and director Laura Colella, which she co-produces with John Lavall, will begin its one month filming schedule in Providence on June 8, 1997.

The producers have formed a limited liability partnership, Lucky Pictures.

"We are pleased to help Lucky Pictures and Laura Colella inaugurate her new film, Tax Day, her first feature, in her hometown," Mayor Cianci said. "A graduate of Classical High and Harvard College (1991), Laura has received wide acclaim for her film shorts, including Statuary (1995, 27 minutes) that was screened in over 40 festivals and venues throughout the nation and in Canada, and which won 10 awards including 'Most Promising Filmmaker' at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, 'Best of Festival' at the Onion City Experimental Film Festival in Chicago, and the 'Eastman Kodak Experimental Film Award' at the New England Film and Video Festival."

Ms. Colella's other award winning films include The Same Ark (1992, 5 minutes) which won the "Jury Prize" at the Onion City Film Festival and Eyes of a Blue Dog (1992, 13 minutes), her student thesis project which was the regional winner in the 1992 Student Academy Awards, as well as "Audience's Pick" at the Onion City Film Festival and Third Place at the San Jose Film Festival.

Currently, Ms. Colella teaches undergraduate film production courses at the Rhode Island School of Design and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

"Tax day isn't usually a day of great discovery and leisure -- or comedy -- unless

seen through the eyes of a creative and intuitive filmmaker," Mayor Cianci said. "The film Tax Day will tell a story that evolves around a walk two friends take to the Post Office on April 15, but it turns into an adventure as they vacation in their own city. What better city than our walkable Providence to engage in an adventure?"

  The principle roles of Irene and Paula will be played by Kathleen Monteleone and Donna Sorbello. Director of Photography is Richard Rutkowski, who hails from New York and is one of the few non-local members of the cast and crew.

  The Mayor said that the film will be shooting on the East Side, Federal Hill, Kennedy Plaza, Olneyville, Waterplace, Chalkstone Avenue and the Providence River, where a canoe scene will be shot, through July 7.

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