Archbishop Ryan High School will host a Nov. 7 screening of the movie A Rose on Ninth Street, with proceeds benefiting the school and five local parishes.
Joseph Ruggiero wrote the screenplay and is the co-producer. He’s the founder and retired longtime CEO of the Self Help Movement drug and alcohol treatment facility in Somerton.
The movie was filmed in Bristol Borough and Ruggiero’s native South Philadelphia. It centers on Bob O’Connor, who is sent by his crime boss to kill the boss’ enemy, but instead falls in love with the enemy’s daughter. The drama heats up when O’Connor’s boss sends others to complete the job.
The movie, based on a book written by Ruggiero, is a mix of crime, drama and romance.
“We think it’s a good film,” he said. “The movie is about love and sacrifice. There is such a thing as forgiveness, redemption and transformation.”
The movie had a test screening in June at the Bristol Riverside Theatre. Earlier this month, it was shown at Neumann-Goretti High School in South Philly and Conwell-Egan High School in Fairless Hills.
“We’ve gotten good feedback,” said director Dwight Wilkins. “It’s suspenseful and captivating, and the cinematography is very good. We want to send it off to film festivals. Hopefully, it will get screened and reviewed and ultimately picked up by a distributor.”
“We may luck out. We’ll see,” said Ruggiero, who retired from Self Help in 2010. “The responses have been great.”
Tickets for next week’s screening at Ryan, located at 11201 Academy Road, cost $20, with half the fee going to the school and participating parishes.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance at Our Lady of Calvary (11024 Knights Road, 215–637–7515); Christ the King (3252 Chesterfield Road, 215–632–1144); St. Christopher (13301 Proctor Road, 215–673–5177); St. Anselm (12670 Dunks Ferry Road, 215–637–3525); and Holy Innocents (1337 E. Hunting Park Ave., 215–743–2600).
The movie starts at 7 p.m.
To view a movie trailer, go to josephfruggiero.com. For more information, visit aroseonninthstreet.com or the Facebook page A Rose on Ninth Street. ••
