Archstone Entertainment has acquired worldwide sales rights to “Don Q,” a comedic tribute to mafia movies that stars Armand Assante, no stranger to the genre from his work in HBO’s “Gotti” and “American Gangster.” It was written and directed by Claudio Bellante. Sales for the film kicked off this week at AFM.
The film follows Assante’s character, who thinks of himself as a Don Corleone but is really more of a Don Quixote. Feeding off decades of delusion, longtime Little Italy resident Don Q believes himself to be a powerful mafia figurehead set out to reclaim the neighborhood and its fleeting values. It isn’t until the return of a ruthless ex-con that Q’s fantasy is put to the test, landing the self-proclaimed mafia chief and a loyal recruit in an ensuing turf war. The film also stars cast members from TV’s most iconic mafia series, “The Sopranos,” including Vincent Pastore, Federico Castelluccio and Saundra Santiago.
The film was produced by Assante, Bellante and Michael Domino. It was executive produced by Ante Novakovic, Rob Simmons, Kresh Novakovic and Robert Mladinich. The deal was negotiated by Novakovic and Simmons on behalf of the film. Archstone’s president of worldwide sales, Jack Sheehan, represented the company.
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“As a die-hard ‘Sopranos,’ Scorsese, and Coppola fan, representing a new mafia classic that celebrates the genre and adds a fun, heartwarming self-awareness with some of its most recognizable actors is an honor I liken as close to “being made” as a sales agent can achieve. Assante is a legend who’s perfected this Little Italy godfather persona, and icing on the cannoli is working with Ante and Rob, who I’ve been speaking with for years,” said Sheehan.
“We’re excited to be collaborating with Jack and Archstone and very much looking forward to Don Q’s release,” said Novakovic and Simmons.
Archstone’s AFM slate includes post-apocalyptic thriller “Year 10,” horror film “Deep Web: Murdershow,” and “The Stoic,” starring Jason Flemyng. It is also pre-selling “The December Cross,” a faith-based film that will star Kellan Lutz, Jennifer Esposito, Judd Hirsch, Neal McDonough and Dermot Mulroney.
