By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

This Friday, Active Fox Productions will release two motion pictures, 36 Saints and Tio Papi. Both films are the brainchild of Joey Dedio. Last year Dedio’s Tio Papi was an award winner at the 27th Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Dedio has the title role in Tio Papi, a film he co-wrote with Brian Herskowitz. He plays Ray Ray, a bachelor saddled with his late sister’s six kids, ages preschool through high school. Not equipped to handle such a diverse brood, Ray Ray makes arrangements with a social worker (Kelly Mc- Gillis) to find foster homes for his nieces and nephews. While his housewife skills need improvement, Ray Ray and his family become closer together. Unfortunately, the social worker thinks otherwise and seeks to take the children away from their Tio Papi (translated Uncle Daddy).

Dealing with contemporary issues, Tio Papi is a family drama with humor. A career workaholic, Ray Ray slowly adapts to his new life as a father of six. The kids are cute; but, being kids, the young ones often create mischief for the leading man. There is also love and romance for young adults and older people who should know better.

There are negotiations to bring Tio Papi to Miami as a television series. Given the loss of revenue with the cancellation of The Glades, Magic City, etc., this is welcome news for seasoned production crews in South Florida. With a four-decade career in the motion picture industry that began with ABC Afterschool Specials, Dedio seems to be at the right place at the right time.

“We have taken Tio Papi to many festivals and the response has been consistently good. Regardless of upbringing and culture, people are responding to the message of family,” Dedio said.

Tio Papi and 36 Saints seem to be the flip side of the same coin.

I asked Dedio about the diversity of each production.

“With 36 Saints, I was fascinated with the uncovered world and the authenticity of myths and Jewish mysticism. I sought opinions from priest and rabbis,” he said.

When I challenged Dedio about the dark nature of 36 Saints, Joey responded with a smile,“In darkness, there is always light. That is what I loved about the character of Tio Papi. Many people had not seen me in that light.”