by Emily Bravman

What makes a documentary film exquisite is its ability to get to the heart of human interconnectedness. “Viva! Saint Agrippina” accomplished just that at its premiere July 22 at the Stuart Street Playhouse. Roughly 200 people filled the Playhouse. Many who attended the event were residents of the North End or members of the Saint Agrippina Benefit Society and either appeared in the documentary or went to support their community.

The film was the latest creation of Boston independent filmmaker, Chris DiNunzio of Creepy Kid Productions and executive producer, R. Harvey Bravman of Advanced Digital Websites, Inc and Advanced Digital Replication, Inc , as well as president of Coolidge Corner Merchants Association . ADW was also proud to sponsor the premier as well as the upcoming DVD release.

 “The vibe felt like movie-goers were participating in a live event.  During one portion of the film, there is tug of war between the group in the front that carries the Saint in the procession and the group that carries her in the back. The audience reaction and enthusiasm was akin to a group watching a live sporting event.  In fact, the theatre owner said he had never heard such a crowd response.” Harvey Bravman

‘Viva! Saint Agrippina’ translates to ‘Alive! Saint Agrippina’. ‘Viva! Saint Agrippina’ is a documentary that chronicles the feast of Saint Agrippina, an annual 3-day celebration in Boston’s North End the first weekend of August. It follows members of the Saint Agrippina Benefit Society in the planning and celebrating of this cultural and communal occasion. The feast is a tradition that originated in Mineo, Sicily and was first celebrated in Boston in 1914.

“The combination of the subject matter and the make up of the audience gave the premiere a complete feeling of authenticity.  It was a true representation of the Festival's spirit of community, tradition and family.” Harvey Bravman

The film has been released to DVD, copies of which may be purchased at this year’s festival that runs from July 30th to August 1st. The DVD’s will be sold for $10 at a festival booth for the duration of the festival from Friday night through Sunday.  To ensure that everyone can be a part of the tradition, a portion of proceeds from DVD sales goes back to fund future Saint Agrippina festivals. Chris DiNunzio and H. Bravman are hopeful the film will play annually, becoming a part of the tradition itself.

Currently DiNunzio and Harvey Bravman are in the planning stages of DiNunzio’s next film and organizing a Boston- based film festival. Bravman is also using the resources of Advanced Digital Websites & Advanced Digital Replication for the promotion and distribution of director Jason Miller’s upcoming film “The Loudest Sound” due for release in early 2011.