NJ DISCOVER TV SHOW: Professional Wrestling Comes to NJ Discover TV. Special Guests: TITO SANTANA, former WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion; DARREN ‘Cutman’ ANTOLA, Producer, 350 Days Pro Wrestling Documentary; DAVID WILKINS, Producer 350 Days; EVAN GINZBURG, Broadcaster, Assoc. Producer ‘The Wrestler’ with Mickey Rourke & 350 Days. JUNE 18th 2019 with hosts Tara-Jean McDonald Vitale & Calvin Schwartz njdiscover.com TUNE IN LIVE 8 PM
Hosts Tara-Jean & Calvin
TUNE-IN JUNE 18th 2019 8 PM njdiscover.com & archived forever on YOU TUBE
We are thrilled to be able to bring these special guests, from TITO SANTANA, former Pro Wrestling Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion to three incredible wrestling aficionados and producers of the iconic professional wrestling documentary, “350 Days” to NJ Discover TV Show. DARREN ‘Cutman’ ANTOLA, Producer, 350 Days Pro Wrestling Documentary; DAVID WILKINS, Producer 350 Days; EVAN GINZBURG, Broadcaster, Assoc. Producer ‘The Wrestler’ with Mickey Rourke & 350 Days.
Professional Wrestling occupies a special place in Americana and entertainment history. Join us for an introspective, emotional, poignant, hour show.
DARREN ANTOLA & DAVID WILKINS
TITO SANTANA former WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion
EXCERPTS OF MY INTERVIEW WITH DARREN ANTOLA AND DAVID WILKINS FROM “350 DAYS” WRESTLING DOCUMENTARY and REVIEW OF FILM (full interview available at njdiscover.com)Calvin Schwartz
Darren always had an idea for a wrestling movie. He knew wrestlers basically worked 350 days a year which became the title of the film. He called Fulvio Cecere, a friend, who became director. It began in April, 2013. “Tito Santana was our first interviewee. We knew this would be all human interest. Michael Burlingame, nominated for an Emmy for Sting at Hollywood Bowl, became editor.” Last July, the 350 Days trailer got onto thousands of screens and now it’s on digital cable in 100 countries, X Box, Vimeo, iTunes, Amazon Prime (where I watched it). It did sell out initially in Walmart, Best Buy and played for one night at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
“What about the wrestling fans? I saw some emotional comments by the wrestlers in the film.” “The fans believed it was so real, that they often would destroy the heels’ cars. Wrestlers made it look real and were sometimes attacked by overzealous fans.”
David interjected, “Our director, Fulvio Cecere is also an accomplished actor. He played the boxing referee in the Russell Crowe movie, Cinderella Man and had recurring roles on major tv series such as Stargate SG-1.”
TUNE-IN JUNE 18th 2019 8 PM njdiscover.com & archived forever on YOU TUBE
Evan Ginzburg
Tito Santana & Evan Ginzburg
“So why do this film?” Darren was quick to answer, “We thought it would be interesting. Telling the story when wrestling WAS wrestling. How cool it would be to bring back people’s childhood. It could be something for everyone.”
“What about all the blood I saw in the film” Darren got serious. “It was the decade of the blade. They really cut themselves. And if you hated a wrestler, then he was really doing his job.”
What both Darren and David emphasized is that some of the last interviews with these special people/wrestlers are captured in 350 Days. Like Ox Baker, retired and in a clip making his recipe for Shepherd’s Pie. A very warm, touching scene. George ‘The Animal’ Steele is also gone now. He was touching and expressive. Hard reconciling he’s gone. I liked him. Actually, I liked every wrestler in the film. J. J Dillon told Darren and David that they’ve done much to preserve the history of wrestling.
Broadcaster and Associate Producer Evan Ginzburg said, “Anyone who is a true wrestling fan needs to see it and non-wrestling fans will love it as well. You don’t have to be a boxing or wrestling fan to enjoy Rocky or The Wrestler.”
TUNE-IN JUNE 18th 2019 8 PM njdiscover.com & archived forever on YOU TUBE
post 350 Days Interview with wrestling historian Ken Beckerman, Darren Antola, Calvin, David Wilkins
Tito Santana vs Rick Martel
Back to wrestling. David asked if I knew about gravity. “Huh?” my only reply. “Gravity is not fake. So, when you see a wrestler flying around a ring, sometimes off the top rope, you need to know they are not faking gravity. Their hip replacements aren’t fake. Their bad backs aren’t fake. Their three divorces aren’t fake either. They are athletes who have sacrificed for their Art.”
“What do you want people to see in your film?” Darren said proudly, “We want people to see what goes on behind the scenes. There is a lot pain. A lot of human interest.”
What a marvelous, wondrous few hours. What precious storytellers, producers, humanists, documentarians David and Darren are. How amazing this film is. Pure human interest. My message right now is if there is any microcosmic fiber of wrestling in your past, present or future (grandchildren) then 350 Days is a crystalized ball. If not, it still is pure human storytelling.
A Must See HUMAN INTEREST Documentary
A REVIEW OF 350 Days. Calvin Schwartz
Wrestlers: wonderful human beings, caring, touching, emotional, sensitive. You don’t want this film to end. Glimpses next, hopefully to capture essence. Slam you down on the carpet in front of your TV so you want to watch.
Honesty, bonding, willingness to share. Wrestling is about providing for your family. Riding in cars endlessly was torture. Telling someone what wrestling is all about is like telling a kid there is no Santa Claus. Wendy, smiling with her horse just behind, “couldn’t have children, pets, but my time in the ring the highlight of the day.” This was so tender for me. For George Steele, 350 days working was a “living hell.” Tito Santana, “Missed kid’s birthdays.” A poignant introspection. He’s a teacher these days.
They talked sadness, love of the game, broken marriages, fan abuse, which was rampant, drugs, alcohol, pain, and injuring just about every body part. I’ve said enough about content. But know this, I don’t do movies twice. I did here. I love human beings, wrestlers, emotion, caring. What a beautiful film. Each one said they’d do it all over again.
CONTACT INFO:
http://350daysthemovie.com/
Facebook handle: @350daysthemovie
TUNE-IN JUNE 18th 2019 8 PM njdiscover.com & archived forever on YOU TUBE
