We’re going around the globe with this ep[isode of #BTLRadioShow as we start in Philly talking about NY Times Bestselling author LISA SCOTTOLINE and her new historical novel ETERNAL, then shift gears from the printed page to film with our prerecorded exclusive interview with writer/director RICKY STAUB talking about the beautiful, emotional, and historical CONCRETE COWBOY starring Idris Elba, and then go across the pond to the UK and writer/director AOIFE CREHAN who joins us LIVE talking about THE LAST RIGHT.
But before we jump into film, we’re talking literature and books and the new historical fiction novel ETERNAL written by my pal, legal eagle, and NY Times best-selling author, LISA SCOTTOLINE. Already at #4 on the NY Times bestseller list in its first week of release, this is an incredible story set before and during World War II at the height of fascism in Italy. Focusing on a story of three friends and a love triangle, thanks to impeccable research, Lisa immerses us in that world, taking us into locations, neighborhoods, and cultures and customs of Italy of which most of us are unaware. Known best for her legal thrillers and domestic dramas, Lisa steps out of her comfort zone into historical fiction with depth and a deft hand, finding the heart and humanity of history while still ratcheting up pot-boiling tension.
ETERNAL is available now in all of your favorite brick & mortar and digital bookstores and libraries.
An oft-overlooked part of Philly history, urban cowboys once played a major part in the economy and culture of the City of Brotherly Love. Unfortunately, over the past century that brotherly love has fallen short when it comes to the urban cowboy culture, and slowly has all but eliminated it thanks to gentrification and redevelopment. Luckily, in North Philadelphia, the “Fletcher Street Originals” and the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club are still going strong and their story is the basis of the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” by Greg Neri which Staub, along with his writing partner Dan Walser, adapted to bring the story to the big screen. Shot entirely in North Philly and with many of the real Fletcher Street riders (you will love Ivannah-Mercedes and Jamil Prattis!!), CONCRETE COWBOY is cinematic and heartfelt.
I spoke with Ricky at length in this prerecorded exclusive interview, going in-depth talking about the culture, the history, and the “making of” CONCRETE COWBOY, most notably his multi-year process to bring this story to the screen, casting, working with his department heads – cinematography, production design, costuming, and composing, the Fletcher Street cowboys themselves, and the importance of shooting on location in this North Philly neighborhood in order to bring this world and this story to life.
Sidenote for you: One thing you may keep in mind is that since the filming of CONCRETE COWBOY in 2019, the beautiful Fletcher Street pasture seen in the film where the horses are worked, graze, riding lessons given, and fun neighborhood gatherings held, is no longer open pasture. The City has proceeded with the Susquehanna Housing Project and that land is now fenced off (having been bought by the Philadelphia Housing Authority for $1.00 from the landowners) leaving the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club (FSURC) to find a new location for the horses. Anyone interested in learning more about FSURC, the riders in the film, or how you can help the Club find new land for the horses or contribute to a GoFundMe campaign, can go to the club’s website at http://fsurc.com.
CONCRETE COWBOY is streaming now on Netflix.
And then writer/director AOIFE CREHAN joins us LIVE from Brighton-by-the-Sea in the UK talking about her new film, THE LAST RIGHT. A real gem that glistens like a rich green emerald, with a cast led by Michiel Huisman, Niamh Algar, and Samuel Bottomley and buttressed by industry legends Brian Cox and Colm Meaney, THE LAST RIGHT was shot on location in Ireland, leading to a film visually rich (and green!) and one driven by a charming story filled with heart and humor. The story of Daniel Murphy, heading from NYC home to Ireland for his mother’s funeral, he awakes on the plane to find that the elderly gentlemen sitting next to him who is also heading home to Ireland for his brother’s funeral and also with the last name of Murphy, has died during the flight and named him as his next of kin. Once in Ireland, fun and foibles take hold as the film takes on a road trip sensibility with Daniel, his brother Louis, and Louis’ friend Mary deciding to take Mr. Murphy to his hometown to be buried with his brother.
Listen as Aoife talks about the origin of this story (rooted in a real news story) and the multiple themes threading together, one of the most important being autism. An enlightening and fun discussion on casting, the technical aspects of making THE LAST RIGHT and working with her various department heads (and the weather) in bringing this charming story to life with authenticity, sensitivity, and heart. Standout is her discussion on autism and the considerations of filmmakers when it comes to whether or not a film is able to cast talent who is on the spectrum and if so, the on set considerations necessary for the mental and emotional well-being of that talent; can a film budget afford to accommodate and ensure those considerations and needs are met or whether an actor be hired to portray autism versus someone who lives with it. It’s a timely and topical subject for all.
THE LAST RIGHT is in select virtual cinemas and on digital/Video On Demand starting April 9th!
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