FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com april 2, 2015 • The Queens Courier 33 Honoring Queens’ top businesswomen this May at Terrace on the Park QUEENS NATIVE STARTS CAMPAIGN TO FUND DENNIS HOPPER’S FINAL FILM BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] @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 Nick Cannon Festival,”greeted which the began filming in 2009 crowd with of children a cast at the including Hopper, known hospital for on the March classic 16 and film told “Easy Rider,” Golden them how Globe-inspired winner he was Jacqueline by Bisset, JoBeth each and Williams,every one Chris of them. 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 town festival named the O’Hi Film Festival. Although the movie surrounds a small town, it was actually filmed in Queens, some parts in Astoria and others in Forest Hills, the neighborhood Yellen grew up in. “I loved growing up in Queens. It was so accessible to Manhattan but it also had the feeling of small town and community. It was always so friendly,” Yellen said. “It was a wonderful thing to sort of return home.” The majority of the film was shot in Forest Hills, with scenes taking place at Forest Hills High School, where Yellen attended school. During the 2009 spring break, the actors were housed in the high school classrooms, which replaced the use of dressing rooms and trailers. “There was always a great appreciation for the arts and culture in Forest Hills,” Yellen said. “I learned about the art of filming and directing in Forest Hills.” Although Yellen no longer lives in the borough, she said she is constantly traveling back to visit her mother, who still lives in the same building Yellen grew up Actor Dennis Hopper and filmmaker Linda Yellen on the set of “The Last Film Festival.” 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 Photo courtesy of “The Last Film Festival” 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. BY THE QUENS COURIER STAFF [email protected] @QueensCourier The Queens Courier and Star Network announced that this year’s Top Women in Business networking and awards event will take place on Thursday, May 14, at Terrace on the Park. The event recognizes influential women in business across Queens whose major achievements and participation in the community have helped make a difference. Past honorees include Deputy Queens Borough President Melva M. Miller; Domenique Camacho Moran, a partner with Farrell Fritz P.C.; Melissa Rabinovich, executive director of NY 1 News; Annette Vallone-Rocchio, president of the Landrum School of Performing Arts; and Carol Conslato, Con Edison director of public affairs. Nominations for this year’s Top Women in Business awards are currently being accepted online at www.queenscourier.com/nominations through Friday, April 10. The gala event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Terrace on the Park, 52-11 111th St. in Flushing. Tickets may be purchased online at www.queenscourier. com/events. For sponsorship or other participation opportunities, call Demetra at 718-224-5863, ext. 227, or email [email protected].
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