Kennedy alum’s Mafia movie to show at film expo

Mafiosi made their way to Merrick last year –– fictitious Mafiosi, that is. Now, they’re hitting the big screen in Bellmore. 

Portions of a script describing the inner workings of an Italian crime family, written by Kennedy High School graduate Lee Kolinsky, were brought to life in his hometown when parts of “Send No Flowers” were filmed in two locations in Merrick last fall. Now the film is being screened at the Long Island International Film Expo. 

Kolinsky, a former Herald Community Newspapers writer, said the movie stars Sean Young, the female lead in “Blade Runner,” who has appeared in films since 1980. Young portrays Toni, a “Mafia princess” who must join forces with her estranged sister to prevent a rival crime family from taking control when their father, Anthony Albano (played by Tony Lo Bianco of “The French Connection”), is shot and killed.  

The film will be shown at 9:30 p.m. on July 19 at the Bellmore Movies on Pettit Avenue. 

Kolinksy wrote “Send No Flowers” during his college years. The film, directed by Fred Carpenter, is the second screenplay that Kolinksy has had produced. He previously worked on “The Blue Lizard,” which was also directed by Carpenter. 

Kolinsky noted that he and Carpenter both advocate shooting films on Long Island. Locations for “Send No Flowers” include Baldwin, Malverne, Brookville, Hauppauge and two south Merrick homes. 

“It generates excitement and an overall sense of community,” he said of shooting locally. “Long Island has a lot of great places to film.” 

Young, who said she became involved with the project because of Carpenter, explained that she was re-familiarizing herself with the area. The last movie that the actress shot on Long Island was “Wall Street,” which was partially filmed in East Hampton. 

The central character of “Send No Flowers” is a strong, dominating female, Young said, which drew her to the role.