‘Rafael’ Heads to Toronto for the Pomegranate!

My Uncle Rafael has been officially selected by the Pomegranate Film Festival in Toronto to be the closing film of the festival on December 4th! This will mark the film’s Canadian premiere. We hope to see you there! Purchase your tix here:

www.pomegranatefilmfestival.com

Pomegranate Film Festival

Slater Brothers set ‘Rafael’ – Variety

Company breaks into distribution with comedy

Slater Brothers Entertainment is breaking into the distribution business with indie comedy “My Uncle Rafael” early next year.

The company, producer on “House of Dust” and upcoming Elvis Presley biopic “Fame and Fortune,” will focus on providing platform releases and targeted marketing campaigns amid the fast-changing distribution landscape.

Slater Brothers closed a deal for a North American theatrical release and worldwide representation of “Rafael,” touted as the first U.S. laffer with an Armenian lead character.

Read more at Variety…

Award-Winning Comedy ‘My Uncle Rafael’ Lands Home at Slater Brothers Entertainment – Indiewire

Marc Fusco’s indie comedy “My Uncle Rafael” has been picked up by Slater Brothers Entertainment for a North American release. The film, which recently garnered three awards at the Arpa International Film Festival, is expected to come out in theaters and On Demand in early 2012.

Here’s the plot per Slater Brothers:“My Uncle Rafael” follows an old Armenian Uncle who gets cast in a reality show and has one week to save a dysfunctional American family from breaking up. Directed and edited by filmmaker and former Spielberg assistant Marc Fusco, the film stars comedy veterans Missi Pyle (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory), John Michael Higgins (Couples Retreat), Anthony Clark (Yes, Dear), Joe Lo Truglio (Paul), Rachel Blanchard (Flight of the Concords), and introduces Vahik Pirhamzei as Rafael.

Read more at Indiewire…

Arpa Film Festival Award Winners Announced – Asbarez.com

“Three Veils,” “My Uncle Rafael,” “The Last Tightrope Dancer In Armenia” and “Bolis” take home top honors at the 14th Annual Arpa International Film Festival

HOLLYWOOD—The 14th Arpa International Film Festival presented by AT&T YP concluded this year’s festival on Saturday with a screening of FIVE MINARETS IN NEW YORK followed by a gala reception at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This year’s festival drew record attendance during its 3 days of screenings, Q&As, receptions and awards. Taking top honors were THREE VEILS, MY UNCLE RAFAEL, THE LAST TIGHTROPE DANCER IN ARMENIA and BOLIS.'My Uncle Rafael' Red Carpet

…BEST DIRECTOR and BEST SCREENPLAY kudos went to director Marc Fusco and writers Scott Yagemann and Vahik Pirhamzei for their comedy MY UNCLE RAFAEL.

Pirhamzei also received the festival’s 2011 Breakthrough Performance Award for his starring role in the film. Arman Yeritsyan and Inna Sahakyan’s THE LAST TIGHTROPE DANCER IN ARMENIA was given the award for Best Documentary with Eric Nazarian’s BOLIS winning BEST SHORT FILM.

Read more at Asbarez.com…

‘My Uncle Rafael’ Launches New Facebook Page

Consider it our online press kit. It’s full of goodies like the trailer, behind the scenes footage, some insight from Vahik Pirhamzei, cast photos, music, and more!

My Uncle Rafael Facebook Page

‘America’s Favorite Uncle’ – Yerevan Magazine

Yerevan MagazineInterjecting traditional, old country morals and family values into a fractured American family is the comic genesis behind the film My Uncle Rafael. In the current Hollywood film market of sequels and remakes, My Uncle Rafael is a fresh new comedy that quietly and subtly becomes an entertaining commentary on post-modern American culture.

Sheer entertainment, completely devoid of an analytical perspective, is not all that uncommon in current Hollywood films, and plays an important escapist function for most moviegoers. But when a movie has great entertainment appeal and leaves the audience with food for thought, well, that makes for a great movie-going experience. My Uncle Rafael has managed to combine pure fun and a heartfelt message about America’s great melting pot into a wildly humorous movie.

Read more at Yerevan Magazine…

Boston Radio Interview With ‘My Uncle Rafael’ Filmmakers

My Uncle Rafael filmmakers have a short conversation about the ground-breaking movie! Aired on Boston’s own Armenian Independent Radio WUNR before the Boston International Film Festival. The talk about the genesis of the project, uniqueness, music and a bunch more!

Listen to the interview here:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

ARMENIAN INDEPENDENT RADIO OF BOSTON

Follow ‘My Uncle Rafael’ at BIFF in Boston – Director’s Log

Boston International Film Festival

April 19th
We are at the Boston International Film Festival and in Boston right now. My producers Michael Garrity, Ben Pomeroy, writer Scott Yagemann, my lead Vahik Pirhamzei with supporting actress Anahid Avanesian, and I are talking to press, eating seafood, watching movies, hanging with the locals, and did I mention eating? Special thanks to our sponsors the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, Hotel 140, and DPSBanners.com.

April 21st
Last night, we unveiled the film to a capacity audience of over 300 and I’m happy to report that folks laughed, clapped, cheered and seemed to have an overall good time. Afterward, my team and I answered some questions, took some pix, and went to our reception to greet all the local supporters! Good times, good times…

Also thanks to the handful of BU film students who came out to lend a hand at the screening–shout outs to Tanya, Alvaro, Martin, Matt, and Jesse.

Check back in and follow us on FACEBOOK and Twitter.

I’ll be back soon with more goodies–stay tuned!

-Marc Fusco

Continue Reading…

Hollywood’s Armenian ‘Uncle Rafael’ Goes to Boston – Asbarez.com

HOLLYWOOD—Barely out of the womb, buzz has already begun for the independent comedy “My Uncle Rafael,” and on April 20, the film will be officially unveiled at the Boston International Film Festival. Directed by Marc Fusco, a protégé and former assistant to Steven Spielberg, the film is the first American comedy in history to feature an Armenian character in the lead role–with an Armenian backdrop.

Read full article here at Asbarez.com.

‘My Uncle Rafael from Stage to Hollywood’ – Armenian Pulse

Actor, Writer and Director Vahik ‘Vik’ Pirhamzei has been entertaining the Armenian and Persian communities through cable networks for some time now. Vahik’s comedic writing and acting was one of the best in all of Armenian programming. It was no wonder, when last year, his stage shows were selling out faster then they could be advertised. With over 35,000 tickets sold in Los Angeles, the popularity of his highly loved character Rafael Keri (Uncle Rafael) blossomed into a sort of an Armenian brand. I’m sure if Vahik came out with Rafael Keri merchandise, he would make a killing.

Read full article at Armenian Pulse.