Award-winning screenwriter Scott Fivelson discusses details about his new film. It is a unique Hollywood biopic about the director, Oskar Knight, and it is called, “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story.”
Background on Fivelson
Fivelson, who resides in L.A., writes for film and stage. At this time he would like to reintroduce memories of days gone by, starring and played by Lenny von Dohlen in the life and times of legendary filmmaker, Oskar Knight.
Film Bio
“Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story” is a unique Hollywood biopic that chronicles the man who Fivelson calls “one of our greatest directors.” Fivelson feels that Oscar Knight’s work, well-known in his time, has been overlooked in recent years with the advent of the Marvel blockbusters.
Lead Actor
Lenny von Dohlen (“Twin Peaks,” “Tender Mercies,” “American Playhouse”) portrays Knight in this brilliant biopic. Through his character he is able to bring back memories among true movie buffs of the iconic auteur.
Film History
The film retells the history of American, and world, cinema with a light touch, true nostalgia, and even poignance. Fivelson reveals that, in the film, one can hear from a cavalcade of Hollywood stars in interviews about the director. Such celebs include Academy Award winner Margaret O’Brien, international Emmy winner David Suchet, Portugese Golden Globe winner Joaquim de Almeida, Kristina Anapau, Julianna Guill, Rudolf Martin, Lawrence Pressman, Noel Neill, and many more.
Other Cast Members
“Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story” also includes numerous “period scenes” featuring bright, fresh talent like Anthony Dilio, Tannon Bleu, and Eric Richardson. According to Fivelson, Richardson is spot-on channeling Gregory Peck from “To Kill A Mockingbird.” He says of Richardson’s recreation of Peck: “It’s a thing to behold.”
Eric Richardson is a Gregory Peck incarnation who plays Gritt Fitzgerald. Tannon Bleu, who portrays the hippie girl, represents the spirit of the sixties.
Fivelson as Film Scholar on Knight
Fivelson, as writer and director of “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story,” is obviously one of the foremost film scholars on Knight and his movies. He hopes that this film will inspire audiences to go back and look at Knight and his body of work, beginning with seeing the film.
“It’s a shame. There’s only one pristine 35mm print of Knight’s classic ‘They Came in Low’ and it’s hidden in Marty Scorsese’s garage, and he keeps saying it isn’t…” – Scott Fivelson
More of Fivelson’s Works
In addition to this rare feature film remembering Oskar Knight, Scott Fivelson has also written the multi-festival-award-winning “3 Holes and a Smoking Gun,” plus one of David Carradine’s best pictures, “American Reel” (co-scripted with Junior Burke). Fivelson is also the author of the frequently produced plays, “Dial L for Latch-Key” and “Leading the Witness” (both Hen House Press), as well as a novel, the satirical rich-family saga called “Tuxes” (Beach Side Press), among other works.
Teamwork
Fivelson would like to credit the enormous team that worked on the film. Every department is thanked for their steadfast belief in the Oskar Knight legacy. A special thanks goes out to David Polcino, the DP/editor/producing partner, who made the five years it took to make “Oskar Knight” just fly by.
In keeping with the different eras in cinema history, Fivelson’s film utilizes color plus black and white. One of the goals is to represent the changes in movie technology. That has been achieved.
Fivelson’s Awards
Awards earned by Scott Fivelson include 2014 Best Screenwriter Award, Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles for “Three Holes, Two Brads, and a Smoking Gun.” The same film won Best Lead Actor for James Wilder, and the Red Dirt Award Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 Red Dirt International Film Festival. Weeks later the film won Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film at the Laughlin International Film Festival.
“‘Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story’ is now headed to the festivals, but there’s already Oscar buzz, as befits Oskar. When you see our film, you’ll understand why Oskar Knight would have liked that.” – Scott Fivelson
Learn More
Enjoy following “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story” on Facebook, Oskar Knight on Twitter, Oskar Knight Story on Twitter, and Scott Fivelson also on Twitter, Facebook and Wikipedia.
Photos: Courtesy, used with permission