Photo by David Brussat

PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE, be of good cheer!

As I walked out of my downtown apartment building the other week, I turned the corner on to Westminster Street and I thought someone was shooting a movie.

The street was packed with people of all kinds. The sidewalk was four abreast on either side with people shopping and strolling. Santa greeted children while several people in costume sang Christmas carols. It was truly a lovely sight to behold.

I moved away from Providence some 25 years ago to seek my fame and fortune in the New York. While I lived in the Big Apple, my heart was always here in Providence. As I look back at the films I have made, most of them were made here and actually about here.

I never dreamed I would move back here to settle down. Well, as they say, never say never! Here I am living in downtown Providence and having the time of my life. The corner of Westminster Street and Union Street is a very cool corner indeed! I live in a neighborhood in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, and I am proud of it!

Two years ago on a warm spring morning, I sat outside at tazza caffè as I often do having my coffee with a few of the local businessmen. I glanced across the empty lot on the corner at a rather large brick wall and thought, wouldn’t it be great to show films on the side of that building, where people could come with a blanket or lawn chair, sit in a small park and watch a film on a screen as big as any theater in the country.

Cut to: Five minutes later I was holding a 30-foot tape measure while discussing screen dimensions with Steve Nappa, of Nappa Construction, and Michael Corso, owner of tazza. Steve simply looked at me and said “I think that is great idea and I’m happy to build the screen.” One week later, there it was. On any given Thursday night in the summer 200 to 300 people sit and watch films in the little plaza.

My hat goes off to the brave people who took the risk and invested in the real estate here.

With the tough year of 2008 over, and in the face of the tough economic times ahead, I say to people of Providence; be of good cheer, we have plenty to be proud of!

Happy New Year!

Michael Corrente is a film director and producer. His films include A Shot at Glory, American Buffalo, Outside Providence, Brooklyn Rules and Federal Hill.