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QC03262015

FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com march 26, 2015 • The Queens Courier 17 QUEENS NATIVE STARTS CAMPAIGN TO FUND DENNIS HOPPER’S FINAL FILM BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com @aaltamirano28 One filmmaker is turning to Kickstarter and the Queens community she grew up in to help put the finishing touches on what will be known as the late Dennis Hopper’s last movie, filmed completely in the “World’s Borough.” Linda Yellen is one of the creative minds behind the comedy “The Last Film Festival,” which began filming in 2009 with a cast including Hopper, known for the classic film “Easy Rider,” Golden Globe-winner Jacqueline Bisset, JoBeth Williams, Chris Kattan, Donnell Rawlings, Katrina Bowden, Joseph Cross and Leelee Sobieski. The film, written by Yellen and Michael Leeds, follows a Hollywood producer, played by Hopper, whose recent film was rejected by every film festival except a small The majority of the film was shot in town festival named the O’Hi Film Festival. Forest Hills, with scenes taking place at Although the movie surrounds a small Forest Hills High School, where Yellen town, it was actually filmed in Queens, attended school. During the 2009 spring some parts in Astoria and others in Forest break, the actors were housed in the Hills, the neighborhood Yellen grew up in. high school classrooms, which replaced “I loved growing up in Queens. It the use of dressing rooms and trailers. was so accessible to Manhattan but it “There was always a great appreciation also had the feeling of small town and for the arts and culture in Forest Hills,” community. It was always so friendly,” Yellen said. “I learned about the art of Yellen said. “It was a wonderful thing to filming and directing in Forest Hills.” sort of return home.” Although Yellen no longer lives in the Bunny Photos The Shops at SkyView Center Friday, March 20 – Saturday, April 4 Put on your best and join us for a 2015 Bunny Photo Enjoy everyday savings of 25% to 65 % Carter's Babies and Kids The Children's Place Justice & Brothers Marshall's OshKosh B'gosh Target and more. Nike Store Grand Opening April 2 Join our VIP Club for extra savings shopskyviewcenter.com/vipclub/ See website for details and pricing 40 - 24 College Point Blvd., Flushing, NY 11354 borough, she said she is constantly traveling back to visit her mother, who still lives in the same building Yellen grew up in and who had a small part in the film as a “biker chick.” During the filming, Yellen recalls walking the streets of Forest Hills during lunch with Hopper, who would take pictures of everywhere he went in the borough. “A lot of those early experiences helped shape my identity and it gave a special pleasure to Dennis Hopper. He got to learn a lot about me as we took a lot of those walks,” Yellen said. “He loved Queens.” Tragedy then struck when, just a few scenes short of finishing the film, Hopper became ill and later died of cancer at the age of 74 in May of 2010. “He was a picture of health and vitality and he just gives a multilevel comedic act in the film,” Yellen said. “He had no idea he was sick; we had no idea he was sick.” Hopper’s passing left a hole in the hearts of the cast and crew, and the film was set aside for a while until Yellen decided to pick it back up this year, which will mark the fifth anniversary of Hopper’s death. However, in order to finish the film, Yellen made the decision to turn to Kickstarter, with a goal of $90,000, because she felt it was a way to get to the fans directly. The crowdfunding site also followed Hopper’s idea of “always looking for ways to go around the system.” As of March 25, $64,174 had been pledged. The funds raised by the campaign will go toward all post-production aspects that are required to finish the film, including using movie clips to replace Hopper in scenes. The Kickstarter’s deadline is on April 9. To donate visit https://www.kickstarter. com/projects/1604258079/the-last-filmfestival dennis-hoppers-unseen-final. Photo courtesy of “The Last Film Festival” Actor Dennis Hopper and filmmaker Linda Yellen on the set of “The Last Film Festival.” Quality health plans & benefits Healthier living Financial well-being Intelligent solutions Get a Medicare plan that works for you … right now KAREN R. TAYLOR Talk with us in person at a meeting near you There are many reasons you can enroll in a Medicare plan right now. Like turning 65, moving to a new area or losing your health coverage. So come to a local meeting. We’ll answer your questions and review your Aetna Medicare plan choices. We’ll also help you understand if you can enroll right now. 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For additional assistance, call 1-800-832-2640 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Y0001_M_LG_PF_30115 CMS Accepted ©2014 Aetna Inc. 58.03.354.1 A (12/13) 55529


QC03262015
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