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Caught on Film
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May 13, 2016
valley
by Christopher Cornell
ADVANTAGE EDITOR
Olyphant became Hollywood for a Day recently when the cast and crew of an independent film rolled into town. It seems that a few weeks ago the movie’s director, Andreas Horvath, found himself in the Queen City, scouting locations for a film he’s working on, when he spotted the Design2Consign boutique on Lackawanna Avenue. “He told me he was drawn to the boutique because of the window displays,” Marissa Fabri, the store’s owner, recalled. “After he introduced himself, he expressed interest in using my store for a scene in his film. The character of the store’s vintage area and the shop’s atmosphere was perfect for his vision of the scene, he said.” Arrangements were made between Fabri and the movie’s U.S. producer, and a date for filming was set. The movie they’re making is Lillian, an adaptation of the true story about a woman named Lilian Alling. In 1926, Alling, an Eastern European immigrant, became homesick and set out on a journey home from New York, determined to walk back to her homeland. In the three years that followed, Alling walked all the way across the American continent to Alaska and the Bering Sea. Nobody knows if she made it across the Aleutian Islands to Russia. “Andreas was looking for a store to shoot a scene with the lead, Polish actress, Patrycja Planik, who is playing Lillian,” Fabri said. In the story, Lillian wanders into town, nostalgic and homesick for the old country. Dirctor Horvath asked Fabri and a customer, Sheila Bonifanti, if they would like to appear in the film. They filmed the entire day. “The scene was about Lillian walking into the store and browsing through dresses, handbags and hats,” Fabri said. But a moment later she leaves, and they realize the character has been shoplifting. “The film
TS_CNG/ADVANTAGE/PAGES [A01] | 05/12/16
08:56 | CORNELLCHR
Filming in an Olyphant boutique are, from left: actress Patrycja Planik, producer Joan Grossman, director Andreas Horvath, sound mixer Klaus Kellermann and camera woman Sonia Aufderklamn.
PHOTO LAUREN TELEP
crew were very kind, respectful and professional,” she said. “Off camera, Patrycja didn’t want to stop shopping in the store. They purchased several items, including a dress and hat that might be worn by the actress later in the film. The film crew patronized many nearby businesses, especially Pietro’s Restaurant in Jessup.” “The film definitely sparked a lot of interest and enthusiasm from customers and the local townspeople,” Fabril added. “I received numerous phone calls, and people were stopping me in the grocery store. Many others told
me there was a lot of local ‘buzz’ about a movie being filmed in our area. I was told that it was a topic of conversation in the local coffee shops and eateries and even at the mall. I have received numerous inquiries on the release date of the film, which will be in 2017.” The movie crew filmed an additional scene walking toward the town of Olyphant through an empty field. Many of Olyphant’s historical buildings and architecture were also filmed. “This was such an honor and uplifting experience,” Fabri said. “I am so grateful for this opportunity.”