The Funeral (1996)

Director:

Abel Ferrara

Writer (WGA):

Nicholas St. John (written by)

Release Date:

1 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

One family, one murder, too many lies.

Plot:

New York City, the 1930s. A powerful crime family is caught in a lethal crossfire between union organizers and brutal corporate bosses...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Violence | 1930s | Cruelty | Flashback

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Christopher Walken	...	Ray
Chris Penn	...	Chez
Annabella Sciorra	...	Jean
Isabella Rossellini	...	Clara
Vincent Gallo	...	Johnny
Benicio Del Toro	...	Gaspare
Gretchen Mol	...	Helen
John Ventimiglia	...	Sali
Paul Hipp	...	Ghouly
Victor Argo	...	Julius
Gian DiDonna	...	Ray Sr. (as Gian Di Donna)
Dmitri Prachenko	...	Sentieri (as Dmitry Prachenko)
Paul Perri	...	Young Ray
Gregory Perrelli	...	Young Chez (as Gregory Pirelli)
Joey Hannon	...	Middle Chez
Robert Miano	...	Enrico
Frank John Hughes	...	Bacco
Andrew Fiscella	...	Murder Witness
Anthony Alessandro	...	Doctor
Robert W. Castle	...	Priest (as Robert Castle)
Santo Fazio	...	Undertaker
Daniel Scarpa	...	Kid
Nicholas De Cegli	...	Victor (as Nicholas DeCegli)
Amber Smith	...	Bridgette
Edie Falco	...	Union Speaker
David Patrick Kelly	...	Michael Stein
Carrie Szlasa	...	Fox (as Carrie Slaza)
Phil Neilson	...	Billy
Patrick McGaw	...	The Mechanic
Lance Guecia	...	Flashback Victim
Douglas Crosby	...	The Florist (as Doug Crosby)
Ida Bernardini	...	Aunt Rosa (as Ida Bernadini)
John Hoyt	...	Big John
John 'Cha Cha' Ciarcia	...	Cha Cha (as John Cha Cha Ciarcia)
Heather Bracken	...	Liz
Frankie Cee	...	Bartender Frank (as Frank Cee)
Chuck Zito	...	Zito
Mia Babalis	...	Mia
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lori Eastside	...	Party dancer (uncredited)
Joseph R. Gannascoli	...	Rocco (uncredited)

Directed by
Abel Ferrara

Writing credits (WGA)
Nicholas St. John		(written by)

Produced by
Jay Cannold	....	associate producer
Michael Chambers	....	executive producer
Mary Kane	....	producer
Patrick Panzarella	....	executive producer
Randy Sabusawa	....	co-producer (as Randall Sabusawa)
Annabella Sciorra	....	associate producer
Russell Simmons	....	associate producer
Margot Lulick	....	line producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Joe Delia

Cinematography by
Ken Kelsch

Film Editing by
Mayin Lo
Bill Pankow
Jim Mol		(uncredited)

Casting by
Ann Goulder

Production Design by
Charles M. Lagola

Art Direction by
Beth Curtis

Set Decoration by
Diane Lederman

Costume Design by
Melinda Eshelman

Makeup Department
Patricia Regan	....	makeup artist
Nancy Tong	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Jay Cannold	....	production supervisor
Mary Kane	....	production manager
Jasmine Kosovic	....	post-production supervisor (as Jasmine Kosovic')

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Laura Cercone Fiorino	....	second second assistant director (as Laura Cerone Fiorino)
Noga Isackson	....	first assistant director
Jenny Peek	....	dga trainee
Chris Surgent	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Suzanne E. Cestare	....	second props master (as Suzanne Cestare)
Hallie Coletto	....	scenic
Frank DeCurtis	....	on-set dresser
Guido DeCurtis	....	lead man
Robert Dillon	....	key carpenter
Douglas Fecht	....	set dresser (as Doug Fecht)
Stephanie Ferrante	....	art department coordinator
David Greenhouse	....	scenic
Claude Horstmann	....	foreman
Mark Horstmann	....	construction coordinator
Ross Huttick	....	set dresser
Paul Loret	....	second construction grip
Christine Moosher	....	buyer
Ed Newins Jr.	....	key construction grip (as Edward Newins Jr.)
Stanley Pasay	....	camera scenic
Jon Ringbom	....	charge scenic
Amy Safhay	....	greens
Eric Stepper	....	prop master
Greg Sullivan	....	scenic
Harriet Zucker	....	prop shopper
Daniel Kimmel	....	art department production assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Patricia Brolsma	....	boom operator
Jason Canovas	....	dialogue editor
Rosa Howell-Thornhill	....	sound mixer
Kathleen King	....	boom operator
Karen McMullen	....	assistant sound editor (as Karen McMullen Homer)
Todd Miller	....	sound effects editor
Fred Rosenberg	....	dialogue editor
Greg Sheldon	....	supervising sound editor
Wyatt Sprague	....	sound apprentice
Jeffrey Stern	....	dialogue editor
Mel Zelniker	....	re-recording engineer: Sound One Corp. (as Mel J. Zelniker)

Special Effects by
J.C. Brotherhood	....	special effects supervisor

Visual Effects by
David Fuhrer	....	video consultant (as David Furher)

Stunts
Phil Neilson	....	stunt coordinator
Carl Paoli	....	stunt double: Christopher Walken (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Maria Calvaruso	....	second assistant camera
John Clifford	....	still photographer
Joe Donohue III	....	best boy grip (as Joseph G. Donohue III)
Andrea Dorman	....	first assistant camera
Steve Drellich	....	camera operator
Samuel G. Friedman	....	electrician (as Samuel Friedman)
Jim Galvin	....	electrician
Pedro Hernández	....	rigging grip (as Pedro Hernandez)
Eric M. Klein	....	grip (as Eric Klein)
Robert Kummert	....	key grip (as Rob Kummert)
John Paul McIntyre	....	dolly grip (as Jack McIntyre)
Charlie McNamara	....	gaffer (as Charles McNamara)
Linda Phillips	....	electrician
Larry Steinberg	....	grip
Jennifer Stuart	....	camera trainee
Phil Testa	....	best boy
Stephen Treadway	....	second assistant camera
Robert Vuolo	....	electrician (as Rob Vuolo)

Casting Department
Sylvia Fay	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dorit Avnir	....	costume assistant
Joseph Cesarelli	....	additional wardrobe
Diane Collins	....	wardrobe assistant
John Corbo	....	set costumer
Beth Lincks	....	additional set costumer (as Beth Links)
Thomas Stokes	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Tom Stokes)
Ruthie Tanami	....	wardrobe assistant
Alana West	....	additional wardrobe

Editorial Department
Patricia Bowers	....	associate editor (as Trissy Bowers)
Suzanne Ceresko	....	post-production assistant
Pamela Chmiel	....	assistant editor (as Pam Chmiel)
Kenna Doeringer	....	first assistant editor
Jamal El-Amin	....	apprentice editor
Tony Grocki	....	assistant editor (as Anthony Grocki)
Marla Hanson	....	editor: video
Kent McGrew	....	color timer
Jim Mol	....	creative consultant: picture
Robin Quinn	....	post-production intern
Todd Woody Richman	....	apprentice editor (as T. Woody Richman)
Nick Smith	....	apprentice editor
Greg Speed	....	second assistant editor

Music Department
Michael Burrelle	....	musician: The Chez Lounge Band
Joe Delia	....	musician: The Chez Lounge Band (as 'Killer' Joe Delia)
James Flatto	....	music editor (as Jim Flatto)
Jill Meyers	....	music consultant
Jim Mol	....	creative consultant: music
Jon Sigel	....	musician: The Chez Lounge Band (as Jonathon Sigel)
Ron Thomas	....	musician: The Chez Lounge Band

Transportation Department
David Babcock	....	driver (as David Jay Babcock)
Ryan Boyd	....	driver
Irv Gooch	....	picture vehicles (as Ira Gouch)
Dennis Kelly	....	driver
Louis Volpe	....	transportation captain (as Lou 'Sonny' Volpe)

Other crew
Karen Barber	....	assistant to director
Donna L. Bascom	....	legal counsel (as Donna L. Bascom Esq.)
Leonard John Bruno	....	production placement (as Leonard Bruno)
Leonard John Bruno	....	promotions (as Leonard Bruno)
James 'Morris' Byrnes	....	set production assistant
Jim Carden	....	assistant accountant
Maya Churi	....	assistant to director
Juliet D'Annibale	....	assistant production coordinator
Lori Eastside	....	choreographer
Laura Franses	....	location assistant
Kathy Gatto	....	location intern (as Kathy Grissom)
Kevin Greene	....	production accountant
Sebastian Hoschirl	....	location intern
Charles Houston	....	parking assistant
Mary Jackson	....	assistant to producer
Jay Julien	....	legal counsel (as Jay Julien Esq.)
Karen Kelsall	....	script supervisor
Carl Kelsch	....	office production intern
Daniel Kimmel	....	script intern
Kevin Kolovich	....	office production assistant
Mary Lugo	....	unit publicist: Clein & White
Jonathan Manzo	....	assistant location manager
John Paul McIntyre	....	creative consultant (as Jack McIntyre)
Frank McKenna	....	craft service: Meals On Reels (as Frank)
Michael McKenna	....	craft service: Meals On Reels (as Mike McKenna)
Pernilla Nelson	....	office production intern
Michael Nickodem	....	location manager
Natile Orango	....	location intern
Olivia Pi-Sunyer	....	production coordinator
Douglas Plasse	....	set production assistant (as Doug Plasse)
Roger Rawlings	....	office production assistant
Lynn Reich	....	set production assistant
Holly S. Rymon	....	assistant accountant (as Holly Rymon)
Jean Sassine	....	parking coordinator
John Shaw	....	set production assistant
Eric Shonz	....	insurance broker: Great Northern/Reiff & Associates
Dena Silberstein	....	production placement
Dena Silberstein	....	promotions
Dan Soloman	....	location intern
Joseph Stephans	....	location assistant
Richard Suffern	....	office production assistant
Teresita Tan	....	assistant accountant (as Teresita P. Tan)
Matt Whitcher	....	location assistant
Dave Brown	....	hat maker (uncredited)
Judy Sharinger	....	legal delivery supervisor (uncredited)
Rick Washburn	....	weapons coordinator (uncredited)

Thanks
Dianne E. Collins	....	special thanks
Scott Fleischer	....	special thanks: Panavision, N.Y.
Sal Giarratano	....	special thanks: Panavision, N.Y. (as Sal F. Giarratano)

Production Companies

• October Films (presents)
• MDP Worldwide (in association with)
• C&P Productions (producer) (as C&P)

Distributors

• October Films (1996) (USA) (theatrical)
• Evergreen Entertainment (1996) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Arcade Movie Company (1996) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Atlantis Entertainment (1997) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
• Concorde Film (1997) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Echo Bridge Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (DVD)
• Encore Avenue (2010) (Canada) (TV)
• Malofilm Distribution (1996) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Cipa (France)
• Crazy Turkey Editora (Brazil) (DVD)
• EDKO Film (Hong Kong)
• Europa Carat (199?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Guild (UK)
• Imperial Entertainment
• Kinowelt Filmverleih (Germany)
• LK-TEL (Argentina) (video)
• Malofilm Home Video (1997) (Canada) (video)
• TriPictures (Spain)
• Vitória Filmes (Portugal)

Other Companies

• 24/7 Food Inc.  caterer
• CMG Worldwide  licensed by: TM/© 1995 Bogart, Inc. (as CMG Worldwide, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA)
• Clein & White  unit publicist
• D-Vision Technologies  special thanks to (as D-Vision Systems Inc. "Making Digital Media Work For You")
• Directors Guild of America (DGA)  acknowledgment
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Great Northern/Reiff & Associates  insurance
• Independent Digital Media  d-vision
• Int'l Brotherhood of Teamsters  acknowledgment
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.)
• La Violette Fancy Foods Inc.  caterer
• Meals on Reels  craft service
• N&D Film and Video  negative matcher (as N & D Film And Video Ltd.)
• National Baseball Hall of Fame Library  special thanks to
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  special thanks to (as The City Of New York Mayor's Office For Film, Theater And Broadcasting)
• Panavision  cameras (as Panavision, N.Y.)
• Priorete Privee Studio  original music recorded and mixed at (as Propriete Privee Sound, Tappan, N.Y.)
• REI Media Group  title design and opticals (as REI Media Group, N.Y.)
• Sound One Corporation  re-recording by (as Sound One Corp.)
• Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting  extras casting
• Turner Entertainment  provided by: excerpt from "The Petrified Forest" (as Turner Entertainment Co.)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for strong crude sex scenes, strong violence and language

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby SR

Certification:

Australia:MA | Canada:18A (Ontario) (also TV rating) | Iceland:16 | Netherlands:16 | South Korea:18 | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:III | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Spain:18 | UK:18 | USA:R (#34571)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

October Films

Trivia:

Johnny is the youngest of the three brothers, while Chez is the middle child. However, Chris Penn was in fact four years younger than Vincent Gallo.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Johnny is dead in his coffin, but he flinches when someone brushes his eyebrows.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Humphrey Bogart:Just keep in mind that I and the boy are a candidate for hangin'. And the first time any one of ya makes a wrong move, I'm gonna kill the whole lot of ya.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Nel cuore della notte (2002)

Soundtrack:

Primo Amore

One of the most underrated movies of the last ten years! Very subtle and intelligent with some unforgettable performances.

Abel Ferrara is one of the most original and interesting directors in America movies. He is also one of the most uneven. The guy has made some garbage and some near masterpieces in his time, so you really have to judge each one of his movies on an individual basis. 'The Funeral' is an excellent movie, easily Ferrara's most overlooked effort, and one which doesn't deserve the obscurity it's been doomed to. It's almost as impressive as 'Bad Lieutenant' and 'The King Of New York', yet I very rarely hear it even mentioned. I really don't know why! The movie has one major stumbling block that the viewer must accept before they can begin to get on with watching. That is the casting of Christopher Walken ('The Dead Zone'), Chris Penn ('Reservoir Dogs') and Vincent Gallo ('Buffalo '66'). Three great actors sure, but playing blood brothers?! Also we see that the youngest brother Johnny (Gallo) is supposedly 22(!), and via flashback his two older siblings look only three, maybe four years older. This would make Ray (Walken) in his late twenties, which is absolutely ludicrous. However, if you can put this all to one side and not let it worry you then you will be pleasantly surprised. Some viewers complain that the movie is "slow", "boring" and that "nothing happens". I totally disagree. Of course if you think it's going to be a Mafia thriller or some kind of action movie you will be disappointed. But I thought it was fascinating and very involving. Walken is excellent as usual, Gallo doesn't have an awful lot of screen time but shows why he is one of the most charismatic and exciting actors around, and Chris Penn gives the best performance of his career. Penn alone is worth watching the movie for, he is just so damn good. The supporting cast is one of the best you'll see anywhere. The brother's women are played by Annabella Sciorra ('Cop Land'), Gretchen Moll ('Rounders') and Isabella Rossellini ('Blue Velvet'), and other familiar faces include the wonderful Benicio Del Toro ('The Usual Suspects'), The Sopranos' John Ventimiglia and (very briefly!) Edie Falco, and Ferrara regulars Victor Argo ('Taxi Driver') and Paul Hipp ('Teenage Caveman'). Also keep an eye out for David Patrick Kelly ('The Crow') as a left wing agitator. Every time I watch 'The Funeral' I appreciate it a little more. It's a very subtle and intelligent film that doesn't serve things up to you on a plate. I think it's one of the most underrated movies of the last ten years and I wholeheartedly recommend it. If this is your first experience of Abel Ferrara and you enjoy it, I suggest the moody 'The King Of New York' (also with Christopher Walken) next, then his powerful 'Bad Lieutenant' (Harvey Keitel) and his difficult but rewarding 'The Addiction' (Walken again). Those four movies are his best to date, and not to be missed.