City of Love (film)

City of Love
Poster
Directed byÈric Boadella
Written by
  • Èric Boadella
  • Sara Pattarini
Story byRobert DeCesare
Produced by
  • Byron Austen Ashley
  • Èric Boadella
  • Sara Pattarini
Starring
CinematographyRomas Usakovas
Edited byNadine Mundo
Music byOkan Isik
Production
company
Rotten Apple Entertainment
Distributed byFreestyle Digital Media
Release dates
  • January 28, 2023 (2023-01-28) (New Jersey International Film Festival)
  • December 19, 2023 (2023-12-19) (VOD)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

City of Love is a 2023 American comedy crime thriller film directed by Èric Boadella and written by Boadella and Sara Pattarini. The film stars Robert DeCesare, Kathryn Schott, Taylor Nichols and Mario Tardón.

Plot

After 20 years in prison, a former inmate becomes a rideshare driver to catch up on his life in society.

Cast

  • Robert DeCesare as Spencer Combs
  • Kathryn Schott as Molly Sullivan
  • Taylor Nichols as Ted Larsson
  • Mario Tardón as Thomas
  • Myron Donley as Henry
  • Daniel Reed Ferrell as Young Spencer
  • Heidi Méndez as Aunt Lidia
  • Samuel Garnett as Will Patterson
  • Paul Dinh-McCrillis as Jeff Harding
  • Kristen Vaganos as Stephanie
  • Nick Bardin as Sergej Zudarovich
  • Joel Riley Martin as Sal Murphy
  • Eric Riggs as Young Jeff Harding
  • Chrissy Bergeron as Lourdes Combs
  • Yessi Sanchez as Babel
  • Michael Cortez as Inspector Ramirez
  • Kelvin Adekunle as Nick
  • Isabella Cohen as Anne
  • Olivia Cohen as Mary
  • Bunny Gibson as Jackie
  • Tryphena Wade as Officer Flynn
  • Vasilisa Badeka as Daughter

Production

Car scenes in the film were shot in a studio and exteriors were composited together. Boadella said it was only possible to do during the pandemic because the empty studios were generous enough to give them a one-day rate for the entire film.[1]

Release

The film premiered at New Jersey International Film Festival on January 28, 2023,[2] screened at DC Independent Film Festival,[3] NewFilmmakers Los Angeles[4] and was released on video on demand on December 19, 2023, by Freestyle Digital Media.[5][6]

Reception

The film won Best Feature Film at New Jersey International Film Festival's Spring 2023 edition.[7] Natalie Tango at New Jersey Stage compared the film to Taxi Driver and said it is a phenomenal psychological horror film, complimenting DeCesare's performance and claiming the color "tones of blue and red help indicate the film’s negative, depressing theme."[8]

References

  1. ^ Ayuso, Rocio (2023-05-22). "Èric Boadella hace de "City of Love" su segunda primera película | Golden Globes". Golden Globes. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  2. ^ Nigrin, Al (2023-01-23). "Neo-noir thriller City of Love screens on opening weekend of the Spring 2023 New Jersey Film Festival!". NewJerseyStage. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  3. ^ "Announcing DCIFF 2023 Finalists, screening March 1-5, 2023". DC Independent Film Festival. 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  4. ^ Molloy, Tim (2023-08-11). "Stories of Looking for Love Highlight NFMLA's In Focus: Disability Film Festival". MovieMaker. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  5. ^ Drury, Sharareh (2023-11-30). "Comedic Crime Thriller 'City of Love' Acquired by Freestyle Digital Media for December Release". Variety. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  6. ^ Edwards, Phil (2023-12-15). "City of Love – Watch the trailer for the new neo-noir movie | Live for Films". Live for Films. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  7. ^ "Rutgers Film Co-op | New Jersey Film Festival". New Jersey International Film Festival. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  8. ^ Tango, Natalie (2023-01-18). "Eric Boadella Terrific Neo-Noir City of Love Premieres At The Spring 2023 New Jersey Film Festival On Saturday, January 28!". New Jersey Stage. Retrieved 2023-12-18.