"Live Individuals Featured: Winnipeg-Filmed Movie Recreating JFK's Assassination"
In the heart of Winnipeg, the independent film "November 1963" is currently in post-production. This intriguing production, which began filming this summer, focuses on the 48 hours leading up to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Produced by Nicholas Celozzi and Kevin DeWalt of Minds Eye Entertainment, the film boasts a star-studded cast including John Travolta, Dermot Mulroney, and Mandy Patinkin. Celozzi, one of the producers, has spent much of his life delving into the events leading to Kennedy's assassination.
Celozzi's script for "November 1963" is a unique take on the historical event. It explores the alleged involvement of the Chicago Outfit, a powerful Italian-American criminal organization, in the assassination. The story is grounded in Celozzi's personal connection, as his great uncle, Sam Giancana, was the head of the Chicago Outfit in the 1950s and 1960s.
The film delves into the roles of major mob figures like Sam Giancana, Johnny Roselli, and Anthony Accardo, offering a nuanced emotional core that explores loyalty, betrayal, and the complex realities behind the historical event. The script rejects typical conspiracy narratives, instead offering a fresh perspective.
"November 1963" also features 1,500 extras and 75 to 80 period cars. Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy was killed, was built from scratch at Birds Hill Provincial Park, northeast of Winnipeg. The producers chose Winnipeg over other major cities such as Atlanta and New Orleans due to its Exchange District neighbourhood.
The film is directed by Roland Joffé, an Academy Award-nominated English filmmaker, and was shot in Winnipeg. Pepe Giancana, a fill-in driver for his brother, had been a fly on the wall in the days leading up to the assassination. His stories provide the basis for much of the film's content.
Despite the controversial subject matter, Celozzi is not aiming to ruffle feathers with historians, governments, or Mob members. Instead, he aims to put in the missing piece without glamorizing. Sam Giancana, who was gunned down in his home in 1975, and Pepe Giancana, who died in the mid-'90s, left their stories with Celozzi, offering a unique insight into the events of November 1963.
[1] https://www.mindseye.com/news/november-1963-begins-filming-in-winnipeg-this-summer [2] https://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/winnipeg-stands-in-for-dallas-in-jfk-assassination-film [3] https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/winnipeg-stands-in-for-dallas-in-jfk-assassination-film-566511102.html [4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jfk-assassination-film-1.5981961
- The independent film "November 1963," currently in post-production, provides a unique take on the historical event of John F. Kennedy's assassination by delving into the alleged involvement of the Chicago Outfit and offering a fresh perspective, making it an intriguing addition to the genres of both movies-and-tv and crime-and-justice.
- As the film "November 1963" progresses through its post-production phase, general-news outlets have been reporting on its production, which has attracted the interest of movie enthusiasts and crime aficionados alike. The film, set to offer a nuanced emotional core, promises to be a notable piece of entertainment in the upcoming months.
