By Guy D’Astolfo
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Mario Ricciardi again takes an unconventional storytelling approach in his latest movie, “Dead Man Walking.”
The Youngstown-based filmmaker says the movie will give viewers room for interpretation, much like his first release, “Midwest Sessions” (2024).
“Dead Man Walking” will premiere Oct. 23-24 at the Youngstown Playhouse Downtown.
The film carries the same title as a 1995 film by Tim Robbins that pondered capital punishment.
But other than the name, Ricciardi’s piece has no similarities.
“It is rooted in the existential question that the main character is facing,” he says. “He is traveling with documents on behalf of his company, a kind of nameless corporation, and his final destination is ultimately where that title comes into full view. That’s when you are greeted by the title, but it comes little by little.
Ricciardi wrote, directed and edited the film, which was shot at various locations in the Youngstown area.
His first film was heavy on dialog and had a supernatural element of repeating scenes. “Dead Man Walking” is more straightforward in how it unveils the plot, but still maintains a higher-concept atmosphere.
“There is a beginning, a middle and an end, but with a tangent in the middle where we throw things off the rails for a little bit,” he says. “But I think the core and the themes are what people will take with them and contemplate. The plot is more straightforward, and those themes are left open for interpretation, but there’s definitely a section where it has an unconventional structure.”
The film works on two levels.
“One part has to do with personal to micro-level experiences with myself,” Ricciardi says. “And the broader story is a bigger commentary on things, the world at large. It spends time that is introspective, and then builds out the larger plot as something that is more news-feed oriented.”
Ricciardi says he will gauge the reaction of viewers to guide him in his future films.
“Our goal with the last project was to take what we learned and fold it into the next one, and I think anyone who’s coming out will see a progression forward,” he says. “The scale is a little bit bigger. I think it’s a little bit easier to dissect as a full piece. I also think we doubled down on the strangeness of it, and I think that gives you a bit of color.”
Most importantly, the film continues the filmmaker’s unique style and atmospheric quality.
“When we film, when we choose locations, when we select the camera angles, I do all the editing,” Ricciardi says. “I think that it’s inherent that with someone who’s tapping in all those different pockets… there’s going to be a through line that is my perspective that comes through. I’m trying to resonate how I feel in a space and then try to visualize it.”
Ricciardi had high praise for his cast, which includes Thomas Kushner, Emelia Sherin, Terry Shears, Bill Reese, Shawn Lock, McKenna Grace, Michael Pontikos, Brant Rothbauer and Ty Rothbauer.
“If nothing else, you’re going to see some really great performances from a local cast,” Ricciardi says.
He does not plan to enter “Dead Man Walking” in film festivals, citing the expense.
“Generally speaking, the film festivals that give you a leg up have priced themselves out of the market for a micro-budget film,” he says.
The film will be screened at 7:10 p.m. Oct. 23 and 2:30 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. Oct. 24. For tickets, go to youngstownplayhouse.org.
All screenings will be preceded by the short film “The Life of Filmy Filmer” by Youngstown State University student Emily Smith, which connects thematically with “Dead Man Walking.”
Pictured at top: Thomas Kushner in a scene from “Dead Man Walking.”
