Palm Beach Intl Film Festival

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 THE DUKES

Thursday, April 26-----The 12th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival closes this evening with the Florida Premiere of  THE DUKES, the feature film directorial debut of actor Robert Davi. The special event film screening will also feature a live performance by The Emeralds, a Philadelphia doo-wop group featuring Robert Davi, the film’s director, writer and star. The film, which also stars Chazz Palminteri, Peter Bogdanovich, Frank D'Amico, Elya Baskin, Miriam Margolyes and Melora Hardin, is also the Closing Night Gala for the Houston World Fest later this month, after a triumphant World Premiere screening at the Newport Beach Film Festival last week.

THE DUKES is the story of  a doo wop group who at 22 were at the top of the world. Now they find themselves struggling for survival in 2007.  Their manager is desperately trying to get them work but each turn is met with failure.  Finally pushed to the extreme, they pull a heist only a fool would attempt, which leaves them even more desperate.  When all seems lost, they find themselves. "I've been working on this script for years", Davi explained in a phone interview. "I was inspired by the mass lay-offs of steel and factory workers in the 1970s and 1980s, when people were forced to redefine themselves at a not so tender age. The same is true for the doo-wop performers in this film.....after having fame in their youth, they need to redeem themselves in middle-age."

The film, Davi's most personal to date, is a far cry from the recognized tough guys he has played over the years. From his portrayal of James Bond villain Franz Sanchez to FBI profiler Bailey Malone in PROFILER, Davi has become the go-to guy for playing criminals, hit men and tough street punks on the big screen and television. His tough exterior often masks a powerful inner sensitivity, which he calls upon for his most notorious roles. After studying acting at the Actors Studio and with Stella Adler, his first big break came when was cast opposite Frank Sinatra in the telefilm CONTRACT ON CHERRY STREET. His work as a Palestinian terrorist in another award-winning TV movie brought him critical acclaim and caught the eye of legendary James Bond produce Albert R. Broccoli, who cast Davi as Colombian drug lord and lead villain Franz Sanchez in the Bond film LICENSE TO KILL. Among his other notable film credits are DIE HARD, THE GOONIES, SON OF THE PINK PANTHER, LICENSE TO KILL, RAW DEAL and SHOWGIRLS. He has worked with a slew of directors, including Steve Spielberg, Richard Donner, Blake Edwards and Paul Verhoeven. He recently produced and is starring in HITTERS, a film that takes a realistic look at the struggles that occur within a neighborhood mob crew.

In THE DUKES, he showcases another hidden talent: his singing chops. "I studied music and opera while I was growing up in Queens", Davi reminisced. "I got into acting later on, but at first I was sure I would be a musician or a singer.....that was my real dream." In the film, Davi sings solo and with his fellow actors in the doo-wop style made famous on the streets of New York in the 1950s and 1960s. "The film is full of covers of doo-wop classics that everyone will recognize", Davi continued. "It was the most fun I've ever had singing those songs and working with this great cast." Following his streak of film festivals, Davi plans on getting the momentum going with distribution. "I've held off on showing the film to many industry professionals till now", Davi explained. "Since this is a film that really connects with its audiences, I wanted to take it out on the road and get the audience buzzing about it, so that a distributor could see that the film has great audience potential. Getting it seen is what it's all about."

For more information on the film, view its trailer and to hear its musical performances, log on to the film's website: www.thedukes-movie.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Online Dailies Editor