Yianni is the star and host of TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT, the talk show that plays in his own beautiful but fractured mind. On one fateful day, Yianni, a humble Greek-American diner owner who suffers from dementia, wanders out of his house and comes to the aid of a lonely and lost little boy.

Interview with Writer/Director Christina Eliopoulos

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

To celebrate the life of a wonderfully loving, eccentric and devoted family man. The film was inspired by my father’s life and his struggles with dementia. I was one of my dad’s caregivers and during his illness, he did wander away from the house several times. I also saw how dad created a kind of second self where he believed himself to be Johnny Carson. I know this because I would hear him interviewing famous people and movie stars. He would turn off the TV, look into the dark screen, and do his interviews. One day, it was Tony Curtis he was talking to. One time, he actually interviewed himself, about his childhood and his diner and his life with my mom. And every visitor he had, was always like a special guest star. When I would walk into the room, he would give me a standing ovation.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It has a powerful message: love is stronger than adversity. It’s distinctive in its storytelling and visual style, a trenchant drama that is combined with elements of fantasy and surrealism. In our story, TV serves as memory, and an idealized, picture-perfect world where our main character is whole, healthy and happy. The Yianni character is in the fight of his life against a formidable opponent— his own mind. And he creates this second self in the talk show world as a storehouse for his memories, a safe haven for those he loves, and as a way to preserve and bolster his ever fading sense of self.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

One in four families in America has a loved one who is directly affected by dementia or age-related cognitive disorders. The film explores deep issues about the consolation of memory. Will I be remembered? Will I remember my loved ones? Will I remember who I am? Will I remember who I thought I was and who I grew up to be? For many of our elders, despite their illness, a rich, emotional intelligence and a deep reserve of love remains intact. They seek connection and friendship. Even if memory sometimes fails them, they recognize the value, goodness, and grace of everyone in their lives. They remember love. And all of us can take inspiration from that.

Joe Cortese as Yianni and Stephen Badalamenti in a scene from TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The friendship between the little boy and the Yianni character has always been central to the film. And the original script relied much more heavily on dialogue. In the film, the performances of Joe Cortese as Yianni, and Azhy Robertson, as the little boy, are just so rich and so moving, I had little need for dialogue. There are entire scenes that play without a word of dialogue.

Making the translation from script to screen was an amazing experience, thanks to my incredible cinematographer Russell Swanson. I’m very proud of our collaboration and how we were able to create landscapes of the mind, and of course, rely on the vast, empty, and nearly stark and desaturated landscapes of a beach resort in winter to convey the main character’s sense of loneliness and isolation.

Casting was so important in this film because in addition to Joe Cortese, three of our actors — Stephen Badalamenti, Tara Murtha and Mark Gindick — have dual roles. They play themselves and the idealized version of themselves on Yianni’s talk show. And they are a delight to watch. Janis Dardaris who plays Plousia, YIanni’s wife and caregiver, and Katherine Sigismund, playing the little boy’s mother, embody the ideals of strength, devotion, sacrifice and emotional comfort.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Extraordinary recognition and praise for Joe Cortese’s powerhouse performance as Yianni. There are scenes where the performance just takes your breath away. And after each screening, audience members are eager to share their own stories about their loved ones. I’m particularly surprised, and pleased, at how many teens and young movie-goers in their early twenties resonate with the film. I think it helps them gain a greater sense of empathy and understanding for what their own loved ones are experiencing.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I am always surprised at how many audience members tell me, yes, the TV was my mom’s best friend. Or, I’ll often hear something like, if it wasn’t for TV, my dad would have stopped talking to us altogether. And I’ve learned, from audience members, that creating an alternate self is not so uncommon. My friend’s grandfather believes that he’s Arturo Toscanini. And she has taken to calling him Maestro.

Azhy Robertson as Boss and Joe Cortese as Yianni in a scene from TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT, filmed on location at Asbury Park, NY

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Those who suffer from dementia, and those who care for them, are often isolated or made to feel embarrassed or damaged in some way. Love and respect are in many ways, even more therapeutic than another round of medication. We should embrace our loved ones in all their beautiful complexity — their identity, dignity and past experiences, as well as any newly discovered reflections, eccentricities or expressions of themselves.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I would be honored to play in more film festivals. I am hoping that additional press coverage will expand the circle of awareness and support. And finally, we are actively seeking out like-minded producers who will help us realize this story as a feature film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

For a little film, I confess I have very lofty goals. I would like us, as a society, to redefine how we care for our elders and older loved ones. I know that there are innovative and imaginative options that go beyond the established, or Institutional group care settings. Being a caregiver is a full-time job. A 24-hour, demanding, heart-wrenching job. And caregivers deserve support — emotional, financial, practical — if they are to continue providing for their loved ones. It’s time for the medical profession, our society, and our government health care programs, to acknowledge that in a meaningful way.

Tonight and Every Night - Janis Dardaris as Plousia and Joe Cortese as Yianni in a scene from TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Have you reached out to your grandmother, father, mother, older loved one today? Your phone call or visit is the best way to safeguard their health.

Would you like to add anything else?

I think all college students should be required to spend four hours a week visiting an elder in their community. The elder would benefit from the young person’s vitality and companionship. The young person would certainly gain wisdom and perspective.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Joe Cortese is producing and will be starring in the feature version of TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT and we hope to be in production in 2018.

Regarding other projects in the works. I’m developing a supernatural thriller, a television serial called THE SCHADUWEN (The Shadow Beast) in collaboration with my longtime producing partner Elizabeth Kinder, and my writing partner, Robert Honor. Another recent project, a narrative feature entitled GLOW, a story of a young woman’s search for her estranged mother and the American Dream on the boardwalk playland of Ocean City, MD, is currently in development.

TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT

Length: 24 minutes

Director: Christina Eliopoulos

Executive Producer: Beth Kinder

Writer: Christina Eliopoulos

About the writer, director and producer:

Christina is an award-winning screenwriter and director. Her work includes documentary shorts, music videos, two documentary features (GREETINGS FROM ASBURY PARK and DEMON ON WHEELS) and brand films. Her narrative film work reflects her interests in magical realism and immigrant identity and experience. Presently, she is at work on the feature version of her celebrated short film TONIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT, which she will direct from her original screenplay.

Key cast: Starring Joe Cortese, Azhy Robertson, Stephen Badalamenti, Janis Dardaris, Tara Murtha, Katherine Sigismund and Mark Gindick.

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, distributors

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonightMovie/

Twitter: @Xtina_Films and @TonightFilm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonight_and_every_night_movie/

Other: tonightandeverynight.com

Funders: The Foundation for Creative Achievement

Made in association with: New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT)

Where can I see it in the next month?

The film will enjoy a limited engagement at ArenaCinelounge in Los Angeles, running from September 15 to September 21. That will be followed by the Syracuse International Film Festival, which runs October 17-22 and the LA Femme Film Festival which runs October 18-22.