Filmmaker and actor Matthew Bonifacio is well respected in his industry but hit it out of the park once again in The Quitter. This is a heartwarming, yet modern, film about a former ball player reuniting with his past love and the child he left behind.
Bonifacio is a proud New Yorker and his love of the city really comes through in this film as well. Matthew and his wife Julianna Gelinas Bonifacio, who stars opposite him in the film, currently reside in Brooklyn and enjoyed filming there and highlighting just some of the borough's many hidden treasures.
Matthew Bonifacio had his directorial debut with, Lbs., which was an official selection for the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for the Alfred P. Sloan Award. To give the film the true authenticity it deserved, it took 27 months to make and followed the actors through their physical changes as well. In 2011, the film was nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Matthew's second feature film, Amexicano, premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and received high praise from Variety, the New York Times, the Village Voice and the New York Daily News alike. In addition, he has received many accolades for his award-winning short films such as, Migraine and Fortune House.
In speaking to the couple about their work, one thing became very clear...their sincerity. At the heart of their work, you will find the universal themes bond us all. At first glance they may not seem like themes you will be able to identify with but the emotions and the humanity is unanimous. That is what makes their films such a moving experience at times. For two such incredibly talented individuals, they are remarkably relatable and that comes through to their viewers.
What I, personally, enjoy most about Matthew Bonifacio's films is his incredibly unique vision. I was first taken with his work at the Tribeca Film Festival when I saw Migraine and I have been hooked ever since. If you are not familiar with his work, it is at a great loss to you and probably only because he is far too down to earth to let you know that his work is truly a must see!
The Quitter will be running exclusively at the Regal Cinemas E-Walk 13 in Times Square from September 12-18, 2014.