Ryan McDonough’s Film, Last Night in Rozzie, Premieres This Weekend

Alumnus and Roslindale native, Ryan McDonough ’89, has written and produced a feature film set in Roslindale that has garnered more than a dozen independent film awards around the country. Last Night in Rozzie—featuring film and television actors Jeremy Sisto, Neil Brown Jr., and Nicky Whelan—will have its North American theatrical release this Friday evening, September 17, at the Somerville Theater in Davis Square, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The local release is sponsored by the Independent Film Festival Boston, and tickets are available at the theater’s website.

With many scenes shot in West Roxbury, Last Night in Rozzie is the story of New York lawyer Ronnie Russo (Neil Brown Jr.), who is entangled in a complicated web of conflicting loyalties when summoned to his Boston hometown by a dying childhood friend (Jeremy Sisto). Sent on a mission to fulfill his friend’s final wish—a reunion with his estranged son—Russo is forced to confront his past and a secret childhood trauma he’s kept hidden for over 25 years. Described as “taut and redemptive,” Last Night in Rozzie has been chosen as an official selection, best feature, or director’s choice at independent film festivals from Martha’s Vineyard to Phoenix, Arizona.

Friday evening’s premiere in Somerville will include a screening of the film as well as a live Q&A immediately following with writer/producer Ryan McDonough, the film’s director Sean Gannet, and producers Joseph Stephans and Kris Meyer. Tickets for the event are $12 each. If you’re unable to join the screening event, the film will be available at the Somerville Theater through at least September 23; it is also available at other locations around the country and online.