Rabbi Nessenoff and the Sundance Kids

By James Kennedy

When Bob Miller asked Rabbi David Nessenoff to help him and his Mineola Key Club create a film to educate young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse, no one ever thought that a star was being born.

If not the director, or the players, then the film titled Inbound Mercy is the newborn star, one that is set to shine at the upcoming Sundance Independent Film Festival.

"Its just cool that we made Sundance," commented Miller who conceived the original idea for the script with the help of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Miller and the FOP contacted Nessenoff because they wanted his help in making a film that was memorable, something that would capture the target audience's attention and hold it as it educated them as to the dangers of alcohol abuse.

The film's working title IWD, which is the acronym for Driving While Intoxicated written backwards, was derived from the nature of the film, which showed scenes of alcohol abuse and their terrible result happening in reverse.

Nessenoff explains the name change is a normal practice of film making as the movie takes on its own nature as it is filmed and ultimately edited, the director's personal favorite part of the process. "You name the dog after you go to the pound," quipped Nessenoff.

The new name came from a line delivered by Don Brown who as one of the paramedics says in the ambulance over the young man who has drunk himself into danger, "Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital. We are inbound."

The new title signifies a powerful movie that has made a statement in several showings already winning first prize at the Long Island Film Festival and being honored by the National Council of Family Relations as well as capturing the eyes of the Sundance people.

Nessenoff stated he was thrilled to be going to the festival (which will be held in Utah from Jan. 15 to Jan. 25) where his film, only one of 60 chosen from the 15,000 movies viewed, will be screened five times.

"I have never been to Utah or Sundance before. I am looking forward to it," said the director, "It is a combination of being in awe and pure enjoyment."

Nessenoff hopes the trip to Sundance will bring well deserved positive recognition to the Fraternal Order of Police who sponsored production of this film.

He also hopes that the film will attract a corporate sponsor in order to get the film shown in every high school in America.

And personally, Nessenoff hopes to attract more film work for himself with the viewing of this film.

Speculating as to why this film was one of the chosen few, Nessenoff admits being somewhat surprised himself, but he believes the final decision was made to show the film at the Sundance because it is a good film with a good message. "It made a lasting impression," he commented.

Key Club member Katie Sharp commented that it was only after she saw the film that it made an impact on her. The filming process itself she found tedious as she sat in a single spot for an extended period of time doing nothing.

Miller said that his students learned that acting is a difficult profession including a lot of waiting. This was especially difficult, noted Jessica Lyons, as the situation was one in which 65 students were cramped together in one hot room.

The students, however, have been moved by the results of their hard work the impact of which they see in the loved ones with which they have shared the movie experience.

Sharp said her relatives were impressed with the quality of the work, and admitted to getting chills herself from watching the film.

Zunno said that her little sister watched the film as a student in the Mineola Middle School where the students were quiet, captivated by the familiar faces on the screen.

Lyons said her brother was shocked by the film and lead actress Hannah McGrath expressed her amazement at the fact that her brother will be sitting in a classroom years from now watching his sister work to spread this important message.

"They made it very realistic," said the director of his cast, "I could have hired 50 actors and not had as good a film."

Nessenoff has been approached to make other films tackling social issues like Inbound Mercy and is considering each offer, but wants to make feature films.

One project he looks forward to working on is a screenplay he wrote with his wife to be a feature film shot on Long Island. In the story a rabbinical student and a seminarian switch places at their summer jobs.

Nessenoff's films take place on Long Island because the director believes, in particular, in the beginning of his career, a film maker should concentrate on what he or she knows.

The story allows Nessenoff to explore different lives drawing on his own experiences as a rabbinical student and the recent time he spent in the company of priests when he visited a rectory.

The director said he did not presume to know about Christian life and the clergy, so for this part of the story he had to study hard.

In telling the story Nessenoff wants to shed light on who the people who enter clerical life really are, as well as promote Long Island and ultimately take the audience to some place new.

Nessenoff uses this criteria to judge the success of a film, and intends to take his audience somewhere new in all his future works.

As for any of the players taking film making up as a profession of their own, Zunno said that learning about the process was interesting, in particular the making of this film which she said she knew from the beginning was going to be different, however she has no desire to pursue a career in acting.

On the other hand the professionalism of the project made a different kind of impression on McGrath who will be attending the festival.

The actress also made an impression on the director. "I was very impressed with Hannah McGrath," he commented, "When she was screaming in the ambulance, it put a chill through me."

He additionally praised lead actor Richard Stillwell, who had to be believable in his role as someone in need of medical attention after an alcohol related accident and did just that in a professional manner according to the director.

In any case, the players collectively agree that they were a part of something special and the fact that this film might make a difference in a young person's life is not lost on these students. "We accomplished something good as a school," commented Key Club member Kim Donohue.

Added Miller, "We just didn't just do something, we did something."

Said Nessenoff " I can sleep easy at night knowing that we made something that will save lives. People should take pride in what has been done. Fifty kids got together to educate children."

The project complete, those involved are enjoying the recognition this film is receiving and taking pride in the message they have sent to young people everywhere. Said the director, "What more could one possibly want from an activity. Its a nice thing all around."