ACTOR

Hotshot filmmaker, Rick Cugini rediscovers the true meaning of Love & Family in the most ironic of places - his old Brooklyn neighborhood.

BURT YOUNG, {"Paulie" of ROCKY series} and MOLLY PRICE {“Faith”, TV's THIRD WATCH} round out this talented troupe with JOHN GIGANTE as Rick Cugini, a neighborhood Brooklyn guy that made very good.  Rick, raised by his grandfather and shaped by his love of movies, 

is a successful filmmaker living in Los Angeles but disillusioned with Tinsel Town.  The death of his high school English teacher/mentor brings Rick back to Brooklyn for the memorial.   

After five years, the old neighborhood has become for him, a distant world

Staying with his Grandpa, Rick’s life is altered forever as Pop drops the bombshell informing him that he has a 5-year-old son! Locking horns with the kids mother Rachel, he recognizes a flame for her had not been extinguished. In addition, the landmark movie theater that shaped him, is now closed! Unbelievingly, he sets out to find who owns the ‘joint' with an offer to buy and renovate it to its former glory.  Great idea it would seem, until he finds out it's owned by the local Mafioso.  Or are they?

On top of all this, Rick’s agent DOV is creating holy hell about his business commitments back on the west coast. Pulled in every which way, Rick needs to figure out his priorities.

An uplifting romance with comedy, CUGINI is a poignant exploration of family, friendship and morality.  It captures the spirit of a genuine independent New York picture.