"Calling It Quits" kicks off seven-week "Best of Fest" film series

Film festival presents debut of drama that has ties to Sedona on Tuesday, July 14; Meet writer/director Anthony Tarsitano in person

SEDONA, AZ (July 3, 2009) - A filmmaker’s journey comes full circle when the Sedona International Film Festival presents the Sedona debut of Anthony Tarsitano’s new feature film “Calling It Quits” on Tuesday, July 14. There will be two screenings of the film at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres. The film kicks off a seven-week “Best of Fest” series which will feature award-winning films from festivals around the world.

Writer/director Tarsitano will be in Sedona to host both screenings and conduct Q&A sessions following the film. This marks a very special milestone in the film’s festival run as the story has significant ties to Sedona.

“The backdrop for ‘Calling It Quits’ is New York City, but the origin of the film is in Sedona,” said Tarsitano. “The lead character — like myself — finds himself questioning his life’s journey and his unhappiness. It is an assessment that drives him on a quest to find an answer and ultimately leads him to find it in a place he least expected — a spiritual teacher. In my life, that teacher — Stuart Schwartz — resided here in Sedona.”

“Calling It Quits” has garnered several festival awards and numerous accolades from critics around the country. Its top honors include Best Ensemble and Best Actor from the Phoenix Film Festival; Best Feature Film from the Jersey Shore Film Festival; Best Director and Best Actor from the Staten Island Film Festival; and Best Story and Best Actor from the Long Island Film festival.

The acclaimed ensemble cast includes Dennis Boutsikaris (Oliver Stone’s W, The Education of Charlie Banks, Taken, Cherry Crush), Jessica Hecht (Sideways, Starting Out in the Evening), and Robert Clohessy (Across the Universe, The Interpreter, 27 Dresses).

Are you happy? Like many people, baby boomer Dante Milestone (Boutsikaris) is not. His struggles with everyday life, his past, even the question of ‘the existence of a higher power’ have led him to examine his own life. This assessment ultimately drives him to leave his ad agency and success behind and set out on a quest in search of his elusive happiness.

Following the advice of his long-time friend Jake (Robert Clohessy), Dante (Dennis Boutsikaris) attempts to find something — anything — to fill the void in his life and find happiness. Anthony Tarsitano’s film, “Calling It Quits” has roots in the Verde Valley area, as one of the characters is based on a resident of Sedona. Tarsitano will present the film and host Q&A sessions on July 14.

Along the way — via flashbacks — we meet young Dante, back in the 70s, and learn about his creative talent and motivation to pursue his dreams of becoming an artist, a painter. In college, Dante seems to hit his stride. Art and women are his majors. After graduation, Dante heads off to New York City to pursue his fame. But, it doesn’t take long for him to find out that sometimes talent and dreams aren’t enough.

When we return to present day, Dante is ready to say good-bye to the “rat race” and make time his own again. Following the advice of his long-time friend Jake (Clohessy), he attempts to find something — anything — to fill the void in his life and find happiness, even attempting to find the passion for his art that he had 30 years ago. Nothing seems to work.

A simple trip to his neighborhood corner store, sets him on an unexpected detour. Dante challenges the ever-happy store owner with the question, “Are you really happy, or are you just a good businessman?” Little does Dante know that the reply to this simple question would start him off on the final leg of his journey, where he will meet Cynthia (Hecht), a spiritual guide of sorts. Soon, he uncovers the underlying truth and arrives at an answer that surprises even him.

Critics are applauding “Calling It Quits” and calling it “a wonderful character-driven narrative with a tremendous amount of heart and passion. It’s a must-see!” (Scott Gerber, Gerber Entertainment). Arlene Epstein from the Nassau Herald says “ ‘Calling It Quits’ brought me answers I never knew I was looking for.”

Writer/director Anthony Tarsitano, who will be in Sedona to present the film, is a successful writer/director of television and radio advertising for more than 25 years, producing commercials for CitiBank, MasterCard and Nickelodeon, among others. His filmography includes the award-winning short films “In A Yellow Wood” and “Emiko”. “Calling It Quits” is his first feature film.

The title sponsors for the event are Worlds of Good Fortune and the ChocolaTree; the supporting sponsor is Vora Financial. The lodging host is Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. The series is also made possible by a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Sedona.

“Calling It Quits” will be shown at Harkins Sedona Six Theatres on Tuesday, July 14 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $8 for Film Sedona members, and will be available starting at 3:00 p.m. that day in the Harkins lobby. Cash or checks only. Film Sedona members can purchase tickets in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 1785 W. Hwy. 89A, Suite 2B, or by calling 282-1177.

For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.