I’ve always been somewhat dissociated from my Italian background. I think it all started when I was born with light blue eyes and blonde hair (a sharp contrast to my dark, Italian family). I now know that my looks are Mother Nature’s way of:
a) fucking with me
b) trying to make my father think my mother really was nailing the mailman
c) giving me good Gino fashion sense and Club Kid qualities while blessing me with much better looks than the rest of my family
Lee Broker and his first film, Cornered, have brought me a long way toward appreciating my Italian background. Broker is a true Renaissance man, producer/director/screenwriter/songwriter and one of the stars of this, his first film. And while his background is actually Spanish and Irish, he says the Italian mindset has had a large impact on himself and his movie.
“I grew up in the Italian community and the movie is very based on the Italian sensibility,” says Broker. “It really becomes a part of you: the loyalty, the spirit, the passion and especially the respect.”
The film centres around Golden Gloves boxing champion Michael Stivaletti (Alex De Costa), caught up among his uncle Joe’s (Broker) mob connections, his brother Gino’s (Domenic Cina, St. Michael’s College Italian Theatre alumnus) drug habit, and his dream of becoming a world class gymnast. The movie climaxes after tragedy strikes and Michael is forced into an underground boxing match.
“Michael wanting to be a gymnast is symbolic for me of ‘What do you want to be an actor for? Get a real job!’ ” says Broker, who might have succumbed to such taunts in his youth were it not for a supportive mom.
“She gave me the support and perseverance that I’ve needed. The Italian passion and sensibility is also a part of that work towards fulfilling dreams.”
The acting? Impeccable. Broker and Cina are great, and Costa’s acting ability cannot be overstated. The range and complexity of emotions and behaviour that he displays in one movie is astounding and outdoes the usual cardboard cut out actors of Hollywood. Cina’s best scenes occur when he opens up, acting genuinely sweet and kind-hearted, and then quickly reverts back to his usual tough guy image—the metamorphosis is brilliant. Well-known Cabaret singer and U of T alumnus Patricia O’Callaghan, Mai Stanek and Juno-winning singer Laura Hubert (also a U of T alum) also put in strong supporting performances. No newcomer to celluloid, Broker has co-starred in such films as Scanners, FXII, The Amateur and Fortunes and Men’s Eyes, and has had recurring roles on numerous shows including Night Heat.
As for Cornered, one must imagine it as The Sopranos without the budget, but twice the heart. The little things of the movie are perfect; whether it is by a fate, life, people, or dreams, all the characters in the movie are cornered by circumstances, most of which they can’t control.
