Arts & Entertainment

Western Graduate Completes Feature Film

Jeff Bonistalli, a 2009 Western Connecticut State University graduate in history, completed his first feature-length film, which he will show to family and friends on June 15.
Asabiyyah is a film about the rebirth of civilization after its collapse. Bonistalli said he used as inspiration history from after World War I and after World War II. He also used experiences he heard about from collective farms in the Soviet Union.
"I really loved studying at Westconn. They were great professors. I learned about the logistics of being a historian, about going through all the documents and paperwork to create a post-war country," Bonistalli said. The film makes use of that research. "Everyone is getting forced out of their homes and into the collective farms."
The film uses sites around western Connecticut including the former Gilbert & Bennett wire factory in Georgetown, the Little Pub in Ridgefield and numerous houses and back yards in Ridgefield.
Bonistalli said he started making films as soon as he was old enough to use his parents' video camera. He tried to turn every school assignment into a film project. That includes a book report.
"It didn't impress my teachers," Bonistalli said.
For an invitation to this invitation-only showing, contact Jeff Bonistalli at asabiyyahmovie@gmail.com.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here