Tom DeNucci’s newest film, Bad News on the Doorstep, has Rhode Island International Film Festival Premiere

Bad News on the Doorstep cast after the screening. Photo by Mike Braca.

When it comes to making top tier films, Verdi Productions knows a thing or two. The Rhode Island based production company has produced star-studded films such as Bleed for This, Vault, and The Roaring Game, which all received acclaim and helped put Rhode Island on the movie making map. That’s why it’s no surprise their most recent film, Bad News on the Doorstep, was another smashing success.

Bad News on the Doorstep follows two teen football stars, Frank (Dante Palminteri) and Gino (Nick Davi) as they attempt to resist the tempting pull of Mafia life. Set in the 1950’s, the film transports audiences to a time full of innocence, while also pulling back the curtain on the realities of communities run by the Mafia. Palminteri and Davi work opposite their fathers, acting legends Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi along with other actors such as Sistine Stallone and Vincent Pastore in his final performance.

The film, which is an adaptation of Joe Cervasio’s novel, premiered Saturday during the Rhode Island International Film Festival, welcoming audiences to the Providence Place Mall where a pre-film red carpet took place before the main screening event. The film’s director and frequent Verdi Productions collaborator Tom DeNucci was on the carpet in high spirits while anticipating the premiere of a movie he deems a standout among his usual work.

“Working on this film was amazing because I got to take a novel and turn it into a movie, which I’ve never done before so it was a fun challenge,” says DeNucci. “This is a straight up drama and normally I’ve made a lot of crime dramas and horror movies, but this one really feels like a drama so there are a lot of great emotional scenes.”

Tom DeNucci’s last Verdi Productions film that premiered at RIIFF last year, The Roaring Game, couldn’t have been more different from this one. The contrast in films is one audience members noted, including Director of the Rhode Island International Film Festival Shawn Quirk.

“I think this is Tom DeNucci’s best film,” says Quirk before praising the Verdi’s. “Film wouldn’t be the same without them and we hope they serve as a seed for others to really build a full-fledged self-sufficient economy here in Rhode Island.”

The Palminteri family on the red carpet. Photo by Mike Braca.

Production for the film took place in a span of fourteen days, utilizing Rhode Island as the backdrop. Main Street in East Greenwich was transformed into a 1950’s set during filming, with vintage cars and decade appropriate wardrobe used to bring the time period to life. For Joe Cervasio, the author of the book the film is based on, the film was brought to life in ways he could have never imaged possible.

“I was stunned with the casting, it was miraculous,” says Cervasio. “They exceeded my expectations. I feel very blessed that we had the talent we did and I’m very blessed for this little group of family independent producers.”

Steve Feinberg, head of the Rhode Island Film and Television office, worked on bringing the film to Rhode Island and was elated with the final product. Feinberg has been a champion of DeNucci since the latter’s early directing days.

“He’s getting better and better and becoming a seasoned veteran,” says Feinberg. “He knows how to use his artistic tools to their maximum potential.”

For Chad Verdi Jr., the film is another reminder of what can come out of the smallest state. Long gone are the days of top films only coming out of California. With the production company making more of a name for itself with every film dropped, there’s no doubt a Rhode Island produced film will be on the big screen again soon. My money’s on the Verdi or DeNucci name being attached.

“As a native Rhode Islander growing up here as an avid filmmaker and movie lover as so many are in this room, you think all movies are made in Hollywood,” says Verdi. “It’s kind of fascinating to make movies in Rhode Island and to produce them here and then screen them on Rhode Island’s biggest stage at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, it’s a true blessing.”

Stay up to date on the streaming of Bad News on the Doorstep by following Verdi Productions Instagram here.