28 TIMES • AUGUST 11 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com 52 The QUeeNS CoUrier • buzz • AUGUST 11, 2016 FOr breaking news visit www.qns.com Brooklyn Banker a hit! Victoria SCHNEPS-YUNIS vschneps@ gmail.com Ed O’Donnell with daughter Ciara, wife Christine and sister Maggi O’Donnell Simpson “Brooklyn Banker” writer Michael Ricigliano with Carl Bonomo Dynamic for all the news 24 $1500 hours,off Lumineers 7 days $500 a off week Invisalign DENTAL go WORK to www.timesnewsweekly.CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION THE INVISIBLE WAY TO SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY com STRAIGHTEN TEETH Third Generation Dentist 175-15 Jamaica avenue, Jamaica 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 When I got an email from my old friend ed O’Donnell, who was president of the board of Life’s wOrC, the organization I founded, and now leads business banking for Chase, to attend a “brooklyn banker” event, I thought it was a networking event in Manhattan. Boy, was I wrong! As I pulled in front of a building on West 23rd Street in Manhattan, my mouth dropped! It turned out that I had been invited to a movie premiere, not a networking event! Ed’s sister’s public relations agency is promoting the movie “Brooklyn Banker,” and so he was invited to attend the premiere; he, in turn, invited me. As I entered the lobby of the theater, I was happy to see Ed and figured I’d watch the movie and leave early if it was bad. Then I received another surprise. I was astounded to see my son Josh’s best friend austin Fierstadt in the crowd; remarkably, he told me that the movie is the story about his father-in-law, Carl bonomo. It turns out that Carl had been telling his story to a family friend Michael ricigliano, who decided to write a book about Carl’s early years as a banker to the mafia, titled “Lily of the Feast,” in 2010. It was made into a short, then director Federico Castelluccio, known for his role as Furio on “the sopranos,” got involved and attracted former Soprano stars and the great Paul sorvino and troy garity, who gave a breathtaking performance playing a banker with a savant ability to remember numbers. The story takes place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in 1970 during the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is held annually to this day. The young banker has a wife and two young children, with a third on the way. His fatherin law is a lieutenant in the mafia and wants him to help “the don” with a banking problem. The storyline shows the banker taking his family to dinner after Mass at a local restaurant, bamonte’s, which in real life is owned by the family of my friend, anita Ciolli. Over the years, I have enjoyed many meals at the landmark site! During this particular scene, I was stunned to see sitting at a table two of my dear friends – Monsignors Jamie gigantiello and David Cassato – who made cameo appearances. From my theater seat, I texted Monsignor Jamie, “I’m seeing you in the movie.” He responded, “Want my autograph?” So it was indeed a night of many surprises and a chance to see a great movie that made me gasp, feel scared and totally entertained! I wildly applauded a superb film set in my backyard that even included a few friends. I’m very happy for the producers’ success. Don’t miss “Brooklyn Banker.” See it, and you too will love it! Victoria’s Secrets tweet me @vschneps Angela and Austin Fierstadt with Carl Bonomo Yvonne Maria Schaefer; “Brooklyn Banker” director Federico Castelluccio with writer Michael Ricigliano Photo By CORAZON AGUIRRE Photo By CORAZON AGUIRRE
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