The Empty Building (2004)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Giovanni Sanseviero

Writers:

Gerry Sanseviero (script development)
Giovanni Sanseviero (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Short

Tagline:

Random People, One Building... Random Pasts, One Need.

Awards:

15 wins

Cast

Giovanni Sanseviero	...	Benny as Adult
Michael Maldonado	...	Benny at 14
Tony Ryan	...	Frank
Ricardo Valdez	...	Benny @ Twenty (as Ricky Valdes)
Rebecca Burr	...	Mother
Molly Molino	...	Older Daughter
Rebecca Molino	...	Younger daughter
Jeanine Maldonado	...	Benny's Mom
Joe Maldonado	...	Benny's Dad
Tom Fahey	...	Green Beret
Jeff Grow	...	Card Dealer
Victor L. Mancini	...	Mr. Andy
Kimberly Rehfuss	...	Frank's wife
Brandon M. Arrington	...	Adult Dancer
Gene Biscontini	...	Child Dancer

Also Known As:

Empty Building Short Stories (USA) (long title)

Runtime:

USA:42 min | USA:40 min | 24 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Filming Locations:

243 West 60th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

The Empty Building Production Corp.

Trivia:

26th Annual Telly Award Winner, 2005 The Empty Building Production Corp. "OVERALL PRODUCTION ACHIVEMENT" for FILM or VIDEO, non-broadcast Production.

What delightful misery

So, it's a month or so since the Gotham Short Film Festival where I found the Empty Building. What I can't get over is how entertained I was by stories of complete misery, misery placed within an artful fully textured setting. I guess because what the film is expressing most is our hope, overcoming the past and moving on with our lives. Giovanni Sanseviero, the Director, did a unique job with it.

Entertaining is a strange word to use on this one because I was really taken by the story more then just being entertained. Simply, I was touched by everything it had to offer. I contacted Giovanni through his web site to pass on a congrats for a job well done. He's a great guy and really into his craft to say the least. He mailed me a couple of DVDs and press-kits as a thank you and that meant a lot to me.

He mentioned ideas for a television series based on the concept of the film. What a smashing idea, I thought.

Ridiculous reality shows with people I'd want to shoot, idiots eating worms, and breathless stupid talk? Oh, God, there is still hope! Ihope Giovanni continues with this idea.