The Event (2003 film)

The Event is a 2003 drama film directed by Thom Fitzgerald. It tells the story of Matt Shapiro (Don McKellar) who has died in Manhattan, resulting in an aborted 9-1-1 call. Attorney Nick DeVivo (Parker Posey) interviews Matt's friends and family to piece together a portrait of Matt's life and finally his death.

The ultra-low-budget film stars an ensemble of respected actors including Olympia Dukakis, Brent Carver, Sarah Polley, Dick Latessa, Joanna P. Adler, Jane Leeves, Rejean Cournoyer, Joan Orenstein, McKellar and Posey. It was written by Steven Hillyer, Tim Marback with director Fitzgerald, and produced by Bryan Hofbauer, Vicki McCarty (exec), Robert Flutie (exec).

The Event premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it received three standing ovations. It was distributed by ThinkFilm in the U.S.

Cast

 * Joanna Adler (billed as Joanna P. Adler) as Gaby Shapiro-Schnell
 * Chris Barry as Third Little Maid
 * Walter Borden as Fred
 * Ray Brimicombe as Desk Sergeant
 * Laura Cahoot as Bride
 * Brent Carver as Brian Knight
 * Linda Carvery as Doctor
 * Rejean Cournoyer (billed as Réjean Joseph Cournoyer) as Rory Metzler
 * Lucy Decoutere as Jody
 * Richard Donat as Undertaker
 * Chase Duffy as Assistant District Attorney
 * Olympia Dukakis as Lila Shapiro
 * Tim Dunn as Ping Pong Player
 * Travis Ferris as NYPD Officer
 * Thom Fitzgerald as Vagimar Director
 * Robert Fucito as China Bob
 * Ian Gilmore as Second Little Maid
 * Glen Michael Grant as Andy Campbell
 * Steven Hillyer as Paramedic
 * Celeste Jankowski as String Quartet Member No.1
 * Dick Latessa as Uncle Leo
 * Jane Leeves as Mona Rothchild
 * Tim Marback as Paramedic No. 2
 * Gianna Marciante as Lilian Schnell
 * Jaclyn Markowitz as Amelia Schnell
 * Vicky McCarty as Princess Leia Kapui Schwartz
 * Don McKellar as Matt Shapiro
 * Ruth Moore as Dr. Fisher
 * Carla Morton as Clinic Nurse
 * Ken Nagami as String Quartet Member No.2
 * Marcia Olsen as Sick Girl
 * Joan Orenstein as Angela DeVivo
 * Doug Pettigrew as Canadian Sailor
 * Sarah Polley as Dana Shapiro
 * Parker Posey as Nick Devivo
 * Cynthia Preston as Amy Eisner
 * Walker Richards as Wedding Photographer
 * Susan Sayle as String Quartet Member No.3
 * Jamie Stevens as Bartender
 * Studio as a Drag Queen
 * Darryl Tannahill as Detective
 * Chaz Thorne as Chris Devivo
 * Miss Vicky as a Drag Queen
 * Cecil Wright as City Clerk Official
 * Mike Younger as Cowboy
 * Theresa Zong as Grumpy Lady on Plane
 * Christina Zorich as Judy Campbell

Awards

 * ACCTV Genie Award (nominated)—Olympia Dukakis, Best Actress in a Supporting Role
 * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Thom Fitzgerald, Best Direction
 * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—S. Hillyer, T. Marback, Best Screenplay
 * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—D'Arcy Poultney, Best Art Direction
 * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Christopher Cooper, Best Editing
 * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Joan Orenstein, Best Actress
 * ACTRA Awards, ACTRA Maritimes Award Outstanding Male Performance, Rejean Cournoyer
 * Berlin International Film Festival, Teddy Award: Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule" Award, Thom Fitzgerald
 * Golden Trailer Awards (nominated)—Golden Trailer, Best Independent
 * Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival—Audience Award, Best Overall Film
 * L.A. Outfest—Grand Jury Award, Outstanding Actress, Olympia Dukakis
 * Seattle International Film Festival Emerging Master Showcase Award—The Event and The Wild Dogs