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Synopsis

Cast

• Pasquale Cugini: Burt Young | bio

  Burly, talented character actor who has remained consistently busy playing "rough at the edge" type characters, often on the wrong side of the law. Young was born Jerry De Louise on April 30 1940 in New York City, where he received his dramatic arts training under legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

  Young first gathered notice playing tough thugs in such films as The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971), Across 110th Street (1972), Chinatown (1974) and The Gambler (1974). Fiery director Sam Peckinpah cast Young as the getaway driver / assassin, "Mac", in The Killer Elite (1975), and Young came to the attention of newcomer Sylvester Stallone, who cast him as future brother-in-law 'Paulie' in the 1976 sleeper hit Rocky (1976). The talented Young was nominated for an Oscar, and has gone on to reprise the role in all five "Rocky" sequels to date! Peckinpah re-hired him to play renegade trucker "Pigpen" in the moderately successful Convoy (1978) (watch for "Pigpen's" Mack truck where the writing on the door states "Paulie Hauling"!).

  Young has also appeared in numerous other major productions, including Once Upon a Time in America (1984), The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999) and The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002).

Crew

• Director: John Gigante | bio

  John Gigante has been called a renaissance man. His education includes some prestigious acting schools, including Circle in the Square, Atlantic Theatre, HB Studio and the American Theatre of Actors. His work as an actor, director and writer has taken him to plays, TV shows and films.

  John’s film production work with Ben Stiller ultimately inspired him to create his own movie to showcase his craft. “CUGINI”, his film directorial debut (with Academy Award Nominee Burt Young), has won an “Audience Choice Award” and a “Special Recognition Award”. He directed, wrote and acted in the picture. It’s currently screening at film festivals and available on DVD. Mr. Gigante has since become involved in the filmmaking community. Most recently, he was thrilled to be an invited panel key speaker at the NYU Tisch Film School, on HI-Definition movie making.

  His interests in music, specifically drumming is his other soul food. The music of his band, The Peaces, can now be found on iTunes and Amazon. He is also currently writing a new screenplay, on a book he optioned about British Dance Band singer Al Bowlly, the premier vocalist of the Golden Age.

• Writer: Rick Bertoldo | bio

  As co-writer, Mr. Bertoldo shares a "brotherhood" with his partner John that spans over 30 years! Rick is an avid lover of film, is also a graduate of the Hollywood Film Institute and loves the screenwriting process as the ultimate creative art form. Another of his passions is nature, and he considers the writings of: Thoreau, Emerson, Muir, and Burroughs as his favorites. He credits his partners with being the very best, of the best.

• Producer: Anthony Gigante | bio

  Anthony joined “Cugini” with passion and gusto. Feeling the need to try something new, he dove into the project and left his old career behind. Prior to that he enjoyed a great deal success in the corporate world.

  He has produced many short plays and co-created the concept of Retail Theater. Anthony has contributed greatly to the community by organizing successful youth programs throughout the city. He has also appeared and co-produced many segments for Good Day New York, News 12 Brooklyn, and has been frequently featured in the NY Daily News and NY Post. Revitalizing “stick-ball” in Coney Island along with Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliva, Anthony has brought the game to a new excitement for his beloved hometown of Brooklyn, NY His latest project is P.A.C.T, a wellness program designed for parents and their children.

  He is working at VER Video Equipment Rentals rental here in New York, he services all production outlets, while continuing to produce media projects.

• Writer: John Gigante

Bonus Features

• Director Commentary

Accolades