41
a Documentary
by Christian de Rezendes and Christian O’Neill
A Breaking Branches Pictures
In Association with Nicky’s Counting Production
www.41themovie.com
www.myspace.com/41movie
www.nehst.com
Distributor:
Nehst Out
Nehst Studios
545 8th Avenue, Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
201-941-4677 tel
917-591-6813 fax
www.nehst.com
PR:
Tara Chantal Silver
Westin Rinehart
2001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 250
Washington, D.C. 20006
tara@westinrinehart.com
202.466.1396│202.466.0777 fax
www.westinrinehart.com
41
PRODUCED/
DIRECTED/
PHOTOGRAPHED BY: Christian de Rezendes and Christian O’Neill
EDITED BY: Christian de Rezendes
GENRE: Documentary
LENGTH: 117 min.
LANGUAGE: English
FORMAT: 24P Digital Video
PRODUCTION DATES: 12/04 – 5/07
SHOOT LOCATION: Rhode Island
CONTACT:
Christian de Rezendes
Breaking Branches Pictures, P.O. Box 733, Slatersville, RI 02876
www.breakingbranchespictures.com
breakingbranches@gmail.com
studio 401 769-3356 / cell 401 651-1839
SYNOPSIS
In the winter of 2003, a catastrophic fire erupted in The Station Concert Club in Warwick, RI,
ultimately claiming 100 lives. For Rhode Island, a state of just over a million residents, the
devastation was profound, leaving unanswered questions and deep scars in its wake. But out of the
ashes of the tragedy arose an equally profound story of hope. One year after the fire, a community
theatre in the small city of Woonsocket, RI gathered together to perform a play written by the fire’s
youngest victim close to the end of his life – a play that many felt could only be described as
prophetic. In turn heartwarming and heartbreaking, 41 tells the remarkable story of Nicky O’Neill, the
young actor, writer and musician who left the world at age 18 but who left behind a message of deep
spiritual importance that has already inspired thousands. Co-directed by Christian de Rezendes and
Nicky’s older brother Christian O’Neill, 41 weaves together the story of a beautiful life cut short with
the saga of a community in mourning and a family finding its way out of the darkness.
BIOS
Christian de Rezendes, Co-Director, Co-Producer, Camera, Editor
Christian de Rezendes is a Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor and Actor. He holds a Degree
in Theatre Arts from Dean College, a BA in Film Studies from Rhode Island College, a Certificate in
16mm Filmmaking from New York University and has studied theatre abroad in London, England with
Roger Williams University.
As Founder of Breaking Branches Pictures in 1996, Christian has created and developed awardwinning and critically praised features and documentaries. At the age of 21, his first documentary
Branches ’93 received a Certificate of Merit from the Chicago International Film Festival. Years later,
the family inspired documentary Alzira's Story (2000) received the Silver Award from the WorldfestHouston International Film Festival, screened at the Video Lisboa Festival in Lisbon, Portugal and aired
on PBS.
In 2002, the improvisational dramedy Getting Out of Rhode Island won the honors of Best Feature
and Best Director at the Black Point Film Festival in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and was distributed by
Film Threat DVD. The film was a full experimental improvisation filmed in less than 2 ½ hours.
In 2007, Christian co-directed/produced and edited 41, a documentary on the inspiring life and
prophetic work of Nick O'Neill, the youngest victim of the Rhode Island Nightclub fire, which claimed
100 lives in February of 2003. The film is distribution by Nehst Studios. 41 received critical praise on
Film Threat and the Providence Journal and received numerous awards including Best Narrative
Documentary from the Blue Mountain Film Festival in Collingwood, Ontario.
In 2009, Christian directed, filmed and edited Zach, a Film about Epilepsy, produced by CURE:
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. This short documentary captured a day in the life of Zachery
Smith (age 19) and his family as they all struggle with this disease.
Breaking Branches Pictures has also collaborated with other New England and New York based
filmmakers as Cinematographer and/or Editor on films such as First Movement Form, They Walk
Among Us, Solitaire, Children of Providence and A Tiger In the Dark: The Drew Evans Story.
Additional camera credits include the documentary Masters of the Grind, about the history of grind
house genre filmmakers. Christian is also Associate Producer and Director of Photography on Life On
the V: The Story of V66. The film focuses on the short-lived UHF music video station of Boston in
the mid 1980’s. Both films are currently in post-production. He also serves as the Technical Director
for the SENE (Southeast New England) Film, Music and Arts Festival, based in Providence.
Christian is currently developing a slate of new film projects for Breaking Branches Pictures. He
resides in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Chris O’Neill, Co-Director, Co-Producer, Camera
Chris O'Neill is a Rhode Island-based filmmaker, theater director, educator, screenwriter/playwright,
videographer/editor and graphic/web designer. He holds a BA in the Humanities from Providence
College, an MA in Theatre Education from Emerson College, and an MFA from CUNY-Brooklyn College
in Directing.
He has directed dozens of stage plays throughout the Northeast since beginning his career in 1999
and is one of the founders of Rhode Island Stage Ensemble (RISE) and Encore Repertory. Recent
credits include They Walk Among Us (World Premiere), Joseph... Dreamcoat, A Christmas
Carol, his original adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wh y
the Lord Come to Sand Mountain, The Mystery P l a ys and the Off-Off Broadway premiere of
the original short musical, The People Could Fl y. He also Assistant Directed the World Premiere of
the musical Honor for Prospect Theater Company and the New York premiere of his brother's play
They Walk Among Us. His feature films (created under his production label, Nicky's Counting
Productions) include They Walk Among Us and the documentary 41 (co-directed with Christian de
Rezendes). Shorts and videos include Sweet Ride, Beyond the Fiddle and World Wide Web.
He is currently in pre-pre-production for his next feature, All Souls.
PROJECT DETAIL
Since the fire, the number ‘41’ has turned up in a number of uncanny ways in the lives of many of
Nicholas’ family members and close friends. This community of people, united by Nicky’s passing,
has come to believe that this is a means by which Nicky works on a spiritual level to communicate
the truth of his continuing presence. The story comes alive through interviews featuring those close
to Nicky as well as parapsychologists, mediums, numerologists, and a huge variety of others, as
well as through extensive use of home video and other forms of video documentation as
commentary and meta-commentary on the narrative. 41 interweaves these remarkable, uplifting
accounts of mystical encounters with other narrative threads. There is the story of Nicky himself, a
loving, funny young man, deeply cherished by his family as well as by many in the Rhode Island
arts community. There is the story of his final months on earth and of the mysterious way in which
he seemed to be, on some level, aware that his passing was imminent. There is the story of They
Walk Among Us, the prescient play he wrote during this time, and there is the tale of how his family
and friends have brought this play to life on stage and on screen. There is the story of the Station
Fire itself, the most significant collective trauma our state community has faced in recent memory.
Finally, in a uniquely postmodern way that has no precedent in documentary filmmaking, 41 is also
about how it (the film, 41) itself came to be made – a string of synchronicitous meetings and
events. By interweaving all these narrative threads in a compelling, non-linear structure, we seek
to create a cinematic tapestry that demonstrates how communities respond to tragedy by
seeking out meaning. This is a film that is made up of stories, the gathering and organization of
which has been the defining mission of the past four years for the film’s directors. Approximately
one hundred hours of raw footage have been compiled to create this film.
This project is highly collaborative in many respects, beginning with the collaboration of two
directors, Christian O’Neill and Christian de Rezendes, who have worked for over three years to
bring this story to life. The film also brings together a host of other Rhode Island-based artists. AllChildren’s Theatre directors Wren Goodrum and Joanne Fayan, actors Gabby Sherba, David Kane
and Emily Kunkel, comedian/radio talk show host Dave Kane (Nicky’s father), comedien Charlie
Hall, Stadium Theatre President Chris Bouley, the rock band Shryne, and the best-selling author Jon
Land, who has made Nicky’s work a part of his own artistic mission. Excerpts from live
performances from ACT, the Encore Repertory Company (the Stadium’s resident company),
Shryne, the Mill River Dinner Theatre, and other groups are featured throughout the film, as so
much of Nicholas’s life story can be told through his collaborations with these groups. Much of the
film’s score is music composed by Nicholas himself, with a complete original score composed by
Los Angeles-based composer Michael Teoli. Consulting on the film are a number of internationally
respected figures including Academy and Emmy-award winning editor Tom Ohanian, co-creator
of the Avid Media Composer, reknowned medium Robert Brown, author of We Are Eternal, and Dr.
Gary Schwartz, author of the The Afterlife Experiments.
41
by Phil Hall
June 5th, 2007, Un-rated, 112 minutes, Breaking Branches Pictures / Nicky's Counting Productions
On February 20, 2003, a fire at a Rhode Island concert club killed 100 people. The new documentary "41"
profiles the world of the youngest fatality of that disaster, the teenage rock singer/composer Nicky O’Neill,
whose band Shryne was the opening act on the bill of that ill-fated show. Through family video footage
and a tapestry of interviews with those who knew Nicky, his relatively brief life is reconstructed with
astonishing depth.
"41" is the collaborative effort of Christian O’Neill, Nicky’s older brother, and Christian de Rezendes, the
gifted filmmaker best known for the feature “Getting Out of Rhode Island.” Their resulting production is
among the most profoundly moving elegies ever captured on camera – a graceful, life-affirming
celebration of a beautiful young man whose energy and good faith touched all who came in contact with
him. Even more astonishing, it would appear his influence continues today through situations and
circumstances which are difficult to explain away.
Nicky O’Neill’s life was literally captured from start to finish on video. The film covers all aspects of his
world, beginning with his wide-eyed wonder at a world seen through his infant eyes through a childhood
rich with good humor to the cusp of a young adulthood where his self-assured musical talents strikingly
transcend the relatively obvious limits of Rhode Island’s garage band music scene. Even shortly before
his death, he can be identified on the video of the club crowd in turmoil as the flames began to engulf the
concert venue.
At first, it is easy to confuse "41" with an extended home movie featuring Nicky constantly front and center
for the camera (the childhood precocity stage takes a while to endure – as a toddler, he seemed too
eager to play for the camera). But what emerges, slowly yet gradually, is the video record and
accompanying commentary on formation of the young man’s personality and character.
The hammy kid grew up to become a caring, playful, sincere and highly intelligent young adult who
seemed to have a positive influence on all around him. The wealth of footage pieces together his life’s
journey and the formation of his personality. At the time of his death, when he jettisoned theater for rock
music, his self assurance in front of an audience and a camera was utterly professional. Off stage, he
gave of himself with a compassion which seemed highly unusual for a young person in today’s society,
especially for those who were suffering through personal tragedies and losses.
Yet Nicky was also rich with contradictions. His mother acknowledges he was a problem student, noting
he received the unheard-of grade of “F-” and the permission of the school administrators to drop out
(none of his former teachers are interviewed here). His seriousness as an aspiring performer was oddly
balanced with his mania for professional wrestling; one friend claims Nicky wanted to be a part of Vince
McMahon’s grappler stable, but it appeared his lanky frame would never allow him to reach that goal. One
theater manager notes, somewhat drily, that he could be an unpredictable cast member whose ultimate
participation was frequently a last-minute surprise. And for someone who embraced the best of life, he
became oddly obsessed with dying in the months that preceded his death, as if he knew the end was
near.
But Nicky’s death was hardly the end of his story. In fact, "41" details how a new and totally unexpected
chapter began for everyone who was a part of Nicky’s world. After Nicky died, his family and his friends
rediscovered a one-act play he wrote towards the end of his life. The richly textured play dwelled on
issues of fundamentalist Christian hypocrisy and the place of angels in the scheme of things, seemed
oddly prophetic in its meditation on passing away. The play was staged (no mean feat, as Nicky’s circle of
family and friends were most amateur performers) a year after the fatal club fire.
Even more remarkable were the signs that Nicky didn’t quite leave the world forever. Family and friends
point out unexpected and unexplained happenings: a music box turning itself on, exit lights inexplicably
flashing during a theater performance, even a call traced to Nicky’s cell phone during the period after the
fire when he was missing and presumed dead. A medium is brought in to communicate with Nicky’s
ghost, and the audio tape of the attempted contact (which was conducted in a full room of people)
produces an alien voice crying “Mommy” during a pause in the medium’s spiritual inquiries.
However, the most curious aspect of Nicky’s legacy was his obsession with the number 41. In his life, and
in the lives of those who survived him, the number 41 keeps turning up in odd, ironic and often jolting
places. Nicky’s final day was a result of 41; he was 18 years and 23 days old when he died – what’s 18
plus 23, eh? There are plenty of unsettling instances of 41 turning up within the film, but I won’t detail
them here because it would easily ruin the effect. (But by all means, pay close attention to the very last
shot of the film, where 41 turns up in the most eerie place imaginable.)
What can be said about "41" is how the film works a remarkable magic on the viewer. The film’s message
goes beyond the Nicky O’Neill story into a greater commentary on human relations: how one inspirational
person can set off a chain reaction within his orbit, emboldening people to follow his lead for positive
means. An argument could be made that Nicky O’Neill’s premature death was not a tragedy, since
tragedy would suggest an abrupt end and Nicky’s goals continue to be carried on by those he touched –
the young man is not with us in person, but his spirit remains alive and eternal.
"41" is a much-needed reminder of all that is good in the world, and a poignant tribute to one person who
was uncommonly good for the world. It is a heartbreaking and soul-enriching experience, and it is one of
the year’s finest accomplishments.
NEHST Studios to release '41' doc
Film explores '03 Rhode Island nightclub fire
By WINTER MILLER
2/19/08 - Doc "41" about a 2003 fire in a Rhode Island nightclub during a concert that left dozens
dead and many injured is to be released by NEHST Studios. Story focuses on the life and death of
18-year-old Nick O'Neill and the ways in which a town managed to find faith and inspiration from
loss.
The doc came to NEHST through its open submission process, PitchNehst.com, which is described
as an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and writers to get their work seen. Project was co-helmed
by Christian DeRezendes and O'Neill's brother, Christian O'Neill. Launched in Cannes 2007,
NEHST is headed by Larry Meistrich, who produced "Sling Blade" and "You Can Count on Me"
and was a founder of indie film studio Shooting Gallery.
2/18/08 - (NECN) - This week marks the fifth anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island.
Several services, tributes and vigils are being held in honor of the one hundred victims of the fire.
Including 18 year old Nick O'Neill, the youngest victim of the fire who is being honored with a
documentary film coming out on March 3rd. To talk about the film is one of the directors, Christian De
Rezendes. More from the Associated Press. WEST WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - Survivors and relatives of the
100 people killed in one of the nation's deadliest nightclub fires marked the fifth anniversary of the
disaster on Sunday with a somber service at the fire site, where they received a first look at design
plans for a proposed permanent memorial. Hundreds of people huddled next to a makeshift memorial
of crosses and photographs on the grounds of The Station nightclub, with some wearing shirts bearing
their loved one's picture and crying softly as the name of each person killed was read aloud. "It is still
so difficult to imagine that that much time has passed, since that night is so vivid in our hearts and
minds," Jessica Garvey, whose sister, Dina DeMaio, died in the fire, told the crowd, which included
Gov. Don Carcieri and his wife, Sue. The Feb. 20, 2003 fire began when the tour manager for the
1980s rock band Great White set off pyrotechnics at the start of a concert at The Station. Sparks
ignited flammable soundproofing foam on the walls and ceiling, engulfing the one-story building in
flames and toxic smoke and trapping concertgoers inside. Besides the 100 people killed, more than
200 were injured in the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. The band's tour manager and
the club owners reached plea deals two years ago on involuntary manslaughter charges. "What
happened here is something that changed so many lives in our state forever," said Carcieri, who
recalled visiting victims in the hospital after the fire and meeting with their families. "I'll never forget it
for as long as I live, and I know all of you are living with it in so many, many different ways." On
Sunday, in a service including prayer and music, a dozen survivors and victims' relatives took turns
reading the names of the dead. Sarah Ballard, 23, read the last of the names, starting with her
mother, Sarah Jane Telgarsky, whom she described as "the best mom a girl could have." Rachel
Henault, who was 12 when her mother, Jude, died, said she was deprived of a normal childhood,
though she said she still feels her mother's presence. "February 20 stole many innocent lives, but they
haven't really left us," she said. "They're everywhere we are." After the fire, once the rubble was
cleared, victims' relatives began decorating the site with crosses and photographs of their loved ones.
They hold their annual memorial service on an asphalt lot next to that makeshift memorial. The
Station Fire Memorial Foundation eventually commissioned proposals for a permanent memorial at the
fire site. The winning design, unveiled Sunday, proposes a memorial park, with a courtyard, a meeting
house and memorial gardens honoring the victims. A 100-string Aeolian harp, a musical instrument
played by the wind, will be part of the memorial, creating soothing music and contributing to the
"natural healing landscape," said Stephen Greenleaf, a Rhode Island architect and one of the
designers. "Five years ago, a great tragedy happened right here on this cold and barren slab of
asphalt," said Thomas Viall, another of the designers. "Where will we stand five years from now? That
was a central question Stephen and I attempted to answer through our design." Garvey, the memorial
foundation president, acknowledged obstacles in creating the memorial. The land itself is tied up in
lawsuits stemming from the fire. The foundation is still working on a cost estimate for the project
though it has so far raised $100,000 for the memorial. "We are closer than ever to creating this
permanent, lasting memorial, but much hard work has yet to be done," Garvey said. "We are
absolutely committed to seeing this project through." The service was held just weeks before Great
White's former tour manager, Daniel Biechele, is due to be released on parole from his four-year
prison sentence. Biechele was sentenced in May 2006 after pleading guilty to lighting the pyrotechnics
without the required permit. He's scheduled to be freed in March. Club owners Jeffrey and Michael
Derderian pleaded no contest in September 2006 to involuntary manslaughter charges for illegally
installing the foam. Michael Derderian was sentenced to four years in prison and is due out on parole
in 2009. His brother was spared jail time. Several hundred survivors and victims' relatives sued
dozens of people and companies after the fire. They have reached tentative settlements totaling more
than $70 million with several defendants, though no money has been distributed yet. (Copyright 2008
by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Documentary on nightclub fire victim to
screen next month
February 19, 2008
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—A documentary about the youngest person
killed in The Station nightclub fire will be screened in Providence next
month.
The film, "41," will be shown at the Cable Car Cinema and Cafe from
March 3-13. It focuses on Nicholas O'Neill, who was 18 years old
when he and 99 other people were killed in the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at
The Station nightclub in West Warwick.
The film, co-directed by O'Neill's older brother, Chris, includes video
footage of O'Neill as well as family members and friends reminiscing
about the teenager's life.
"Hopefully, people will find Nicky a compelling person and his story
to be compelling on its own," he said.
Chris O'Neill said the idea for "41" came as he and the co-director,
Christian de Rezendes, were working on a film version of a play his
younger brother wrote before his death about teenagers who die
and return as guardian angels.
After the fire, the play seemed almost prophetic, O'Neill said.
"On some level, Nicky knew that he was going to pass and he was
writing this play to prepare us," he said.
Kin do film on Station victim
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 –
Death came far too early for 18-year-old Nick O’Neill, who perished five years ago
today in the horrific Station nightclub fire.
Before he died, O’Neill had become extremely spiritual, obsessed with the number “41”
and penned a play about teenagers who become guardian angels when they die. He
based one of the characters on himself.
Now, his oldest brother, Chris O’Neill, and another Rhode Island native, Christian de
Rezendes, have directed a feature-length documentary entitled “41.” The film is on DVD
and is at the Cable Car Cinema in Providence March 3-13. “In retrospect, it did seem
very much that he was aware on some level that he was going to pass away at a young
age,” his brother said yesterday.
Nick O’Neill was the youngest of the 100 people killed in the Rhode Island blaze,
sparked by pyrotechnics set off by the band Great White.
The number 41 kept turning up in Nick O’Neill’s life - and after. For instance, the latitude
of the Station nightclub was 41.41 degrees. O’Neill died at age 18 and 23 days, which
adds up to 41. “We discovered old videos of him as a baby wearing a baseball cap with
the number 41 on it,” O’Neill said.
The film explores the possibility that O’Neill is communicating with his family and
whether there’s “a larger plan,” his brother said. De Rezendes said they tried to lay out
the evidence and “let the audience decide for themselves.”
Film on youngest fire victim to air
'41: The Movie' airing on PBS Wed. at 8 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, 18 Nov 2009, 6:10 PM EST Published : Monday, 16 Nov 2009, 9:49 AM
EST
Reported by Walt Buteau
(FOX Providence) - The mother of the youngest victim in the Station Nightclub Fire talks about her loss, and
later this week PBS will air the documentary on her son's shortened life.
Some would say that Nick O'Neil refuses to let this be the last time we saw him.
"When this fire happened I couldn't even believe the sun came up the next day,"said Nick's mom, Joanne
O'Neill.
The sun did come up, and the young artist lived on. Even before, a play Nick wrote was put on stage by his
family. This was before his brother Christian O'Neil and Christian deRezendes of Breaking Branches Pictures
created the documentary '41.'
"Impossible for me to look at this movie objectively but it's absolutely beautiful," said Joanne.
There were signs. The number 41 appeared everywhere. Once, during a musical surprise involving a Mother's
Day gift from Nick's brother.
"That musical horse right there, Mother's Day after the fire, (it) started playing by itself at 9:41."
There are also twinkling lights.
"Just as I walk by. I walk under the lights. They flicker. Then it stops. And I know he's just checking in."
While Walt Buteau and his photographer John Villella were taping another story about Nick, an unexplainable
single word, "action" was caught on tape.
"I thought that was clearly something Nick would do. I could clearly hear action."
Dave Kane, who is Nick's dad joined The Rhode Show to talk more 41 the movie.
Watch the attached clip to hear from Nick's mom Joanne, and to learn more about the movie from Dave Kane.
"41: The Movie" is airing Wednesday, November 18 at 8 p.m. on Rhode Island PBS.
Click here if you'd like to see the trailer for the f ilm.