''The Event'' is a 2003 drama film directed by Thom Fitzgerald. It tells the story of Matt Shapiro ( Don McKellar) who has died in Manhattan, resulting in an aborted 9-1-1 call. Attorney Nick DeVivo ( Parker Posey) interviews Matt's friends and family to piece together a portrait of Matt's life and finally his death. The ultra-low-budget film stars an ensemble of respected actors including

Olympia Dukakis Olympia Dukakis (June 20, 1931 – May 1, 2021) was an American actress. She performed in more than 130 stage productions, more than 60 films and in 50 television series. Best known as a screen actress, she started her career in theater. Not lon ...

, Brent Carver, Sarah Polley, Dick Latessa,

Joanna P. Adler Joanna P. Adler (born 1964) is an American actress, known for her roles in Off-Broadway plays. She won an Obie Award in 1995. In 2014, Adler starred in the second season of the Lifetime television series ''Devious Maids''. Life and career Adler ...

, Jane Leeves, Rejean Cournoyer,

Joan Orenstein Joan Orenstein (December 4, 1923 – October 10, 2009) was a British-born Canadian actress, primarily on stage, although she performed in other media. One of her best-known roles was in the 1997 film '' The Hanging Garden'' as the dotty old ...

, McKellar and Posey. It was written by Steven Hillyer, Tim Marback with director Fitzgerald, and produced by Bryan Hofbauer, Vicki McCarty (exec), Robert Flutie (exec). ''The Event'' premiered at the

Sundance Film Festival The Sundance Film Festival (formerly Utah/US Film Festival, then US Film and Video Festival) is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with more than 46,6 ...

where it received three standing ovations. It was distributed by ThinkFilm in the U.S.

Cast

* Joanna Adler (billed as Joanna P. Adler) as Gaby Shapiro-Schnell * Chris Barry as Third Little Maid * Walter Borden as Fred * Ray Brimicombe as Desk Sergeant * Laura Cahoot as Bride * Brent Carver as Brian Knight * Linda Carvery as Doctor * Rejean Cournoyer (billed as Réjean Joseph Cournoyer) as Rory Metzler *

Lucy Decoutere Lucy DeCoutere (born 5 September 1970) is a Canadian actress and Royal Canadian Air Force officer, best known for her role as the character Lucy in the television series ''Trailer Park Boys''. Life and career DeCoutere grew up as the youngest c ...

as Jody * Richard Donat as Undertaker * Chase Duffy as Assistant District Attorney *

as Lila Shapiro * Tim Dunn as Ping Pong Player * Travis Ferris as NYPD Officer * Thom Fitzgerald as Vagimar Director * Robert Fucito as China Bob * Ian Gilmore as Second Little Maid * Glen Michael Grant as Andy Campbell * Steven Hillyer as Paramedic * Celeste Jankowski as String Quartet Member No.1 * Dick Latessa as Uncle Leo * Jane Leeves as Mona Rothchild * Tim Marback as Paramedic No. 2 * Gianna Marciante as Lilian Schnell * Jaclyn Markowitz as Amelia Schnell * Vicky McCarty as Princess Leia Kapui Schwartz * Don McKellar as Matt Shapiro * Ruth Moore as Dr. Fisher * Carla Morton as Clinic Nurse * Ken Nagami as String Quartet Member No.2 * Marcia Olsen as Sick Girl *

as Angela DeVivo * Doug Pettigrew as Canadian Sailor * Sarah Polley as Dana Shapiro * Parker Posey as Nick Devivo *

Cynthia Preston Cynthia Preston, sometimes credited as Cyndy Preston (born May 18, 1968), is a Canadian actress. Life and career Preston was born in Toronto, Ontario. She made her screen debut in the 1986 television film ''Miles to Go...'' playing Jill Clayburgh ...

as Amy Eisner * Walker Richards as Wedding Photographer * Susan Sayle as String Quartet Member No.3 * Jamie Stevens as Bartender * Studio as a Drag Queen * Darryl Tannahill as Detective * Chaz Thorne as Chris Devivo * Miss Vicky as a Drag Queen * Cecil Wright as City Clerk Official * Mike Younger as Cowboy * Theresa Zong as Grumpy Lady on Plane * Christina Zorich as Judy Campbell

Awards

* ACCTV

Genie Award The Genie Awards were given out annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to recognize the best of Canadian cinema from 1980–2012. They succeeded the Canadian Film Awards (1949–1978; also known as the "Etrog Awards," for sc ...

(nominated)—Olympia Dukakis, Best Actress in a Supporting Role * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Thom Fitzgerald, Best Direction * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—S. Hillyer, T. Marback, Best Screenplay * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—D'Arcy Poultney, Best Art Direction * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Christopher Cooper, Best Editing * Atlantic Film Festival, Atlantic Canadian Award (win)—Joan Orenstein, Best Actress * ACTRA Awards, ACTRA Maritimes Award Outstanding Male Performance, Rejean Cournoyer *

Berlin International Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the fest ...

, Teddy Award: Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule" Award, Thom Fitzgerald * Golden Trailer Awards (nominated)—Golden Trailer, Best Independent * Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival—Audience Award, Best Overall Film *

L.A. Outfest Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented nonprofit that produces two film festivals, operates a movie streaming platform, and runs educational services for filmmakers in Los Angeles. Outfest is one of the key partners, alongside the Frameline Film Festiv ...

—Grand Jury Award, Outstanding Actress, Olympia Dukakis * Seattle International Film Festival Emerging Master Showcase Award—''The Event'' and '' The Wild Dogs''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Event 2003 drama films 2003 LGBT-related films 2003 films American LGBT-related films Canadian LGBT-related films English-language Canadian films 2000s English-language films Films directed by Thom Fitzgerald HIV/AIDS in American films Films scored by Christophe Beck American drama films LGBT-related drama films Films shot in Nova Scotia HIV/AIDS in Canadian films 2000s American films 2000s Canadian films