Meanwhile in Santa Monica
starring
Rene Russo,
Richard Kind and Fran Montano
This
is one of the most exceptional films I've worked on. Titled Russian
Nights at the time we were working on it, Meanwhile in Santa
Monica is a seldom seen, 35mm short film, shot with Panavision equipment
and containing an exceptional cast. Director David Gamburg was a Russian
theater director who immigrated to the US. He worked as Robin William's
dialog coach on "Moscow on the Hudson" and the two continued their
professional relationship afterward. Encouraging him to make a film of his own Robin
Williams did a fund raiser for him to finance this project as a sample of his work.
The Story: A family of Russian emigrants run
a small restaurant called Russian Nights in Santa Monica,
California which makes most of its money one night a week when all the local
Russians come down to party. Richard Kind is Alex, the gambling, drinking,
womanizing scoundrel who runs the restaurant with his less than understanding,
pregnant, American wife, Sally (Ruth DeSosa). They are desperate for money.
It is no secret to anyone, however, that Alex openly lusts for beautiful Elena (Rene Russo) newly arrived in
America under his sponsorship as her "employer." She is
now a waitress at their restaurant and Alex is forever coming on to her.
She, however, only has eyes for Grishka (Fran Montano) Alex's saint of a
brother. Grishka is the total opposite of him in every way. An
honest, decent and caring man, Grishka will NEVER lie or take advantage of
anyone.
Alex
sets up a deal with crocked landlord Irwin (Christopher Carroll) to open a set
of clinics serving the immigrant community. Problem is, Alex has lied to
everyone, including his wife and Irwin, in telling them Grishka is actually a
doctor (he isn't, he's a photographer). Now for them all to survive it is
up to saint Grishka to lie, passing himself off as a doctor in order to save
the family, keep the restaurant and prevent Elena from being sent back to
Russia.
At over 50 minutes long the film was shown around as a prospective pilot for
a series which, sadly, never sold. The film has been very seldom seen
since. I loved working on this movie, especially with the wonderful and
talented cast and director. I must give an especially strong thanks to
producer Vic Bulluck, who got me involved in the project. As Director of Photography I really enjoyed
the way this film offered me great opportunities for comedy, romance and beauty
lighting.
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What cinematographer wouldn't love the opportunity to work
with such a beautiful person as the lovely Rene Russo. The script called
for an idealized romantic view of her, which gave me the motivation to do
non-stop "beauty lighting" on her in almost every shot.
The camera loved her, she easily photographed lusciously and was a joy
to work with in every way. Her great success since is well deserved.
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(Above) "You look like a Rembrandt," Grishka (Fran Montano) says to
Elena (Rene Russo), providing the motivation for a soft, warm cross light on Rene which
enhanced the natural glow of her skin and the beauty of her hair.
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Elena (Rene Russo) asks Grishka for some help in getting her pay from
his sexually aggressive brother, Alex.
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Elena (Rene Russo) is all smiles as she see Griska
entering the restaurant where she is playing.
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All eyes wait to see, will Grishka lie? |
Meanwhile In Santa Monica
(aka Russian Nights)
additional credits
|
| David Gamburg |
Director |
| Vicangelo Bulluck |
Producer |
| Vicangelo Bulluck & Peter Schwartz |
Writers |
| Yuri Spilny & Michael Gamburg |
Executive Producers |
| Peter Schwartz & Chris Coggeshall |
Associate Producers |