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Documentary by William Paterson University Professor Vince Parrillo Selected for Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival

Viewing will take place Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. in the Warner Bow Tie Cinema in Ridgewood with a red carpet ceremony preceding the screening

William Paterson University sociology professor Vince Parrillo will screen his documentary, Paterson and Its People, at the Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival. The viewing will take place Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. in the Warner Bow Tie Cinema in Ridgewood with a red carpet ceremony preceding the screening.

Paterson and Its People debuted September 26, 2015 on NJTV, and was screened at the University’s Shea Center for Performing Arts on September 30, 2015. The film has received critical acclaim, winning a PBS television documentary award.

The documentary examines Paterson’s ethnic and racial diversity throughout history. The city has evolved from a population of native Lenape Indians, to a settlement for English and French immigrants and has continued with recent influxes of Hispanic and Middle Eastern populations.

Parrillo served as author, narrator and co-producer on the film with Jaroslaw Ziaja as co-producer and editor. Rhoderick Holliday, video production coordinator, Instruction and Research Technology at William Paterson University, served as the associate producer and production manager on the project. Passaic County Historian Edward A. Smyk also served as consultant. The documentary was produced with support from the William Paterson University Alumni Association.

Parrillo has written and produced three additional award-winning PBS television documentaries: Gaetano Federici: The Sculptor Laureate of Paterson (2013), Smokestacks and Steeples: A Portrait of Paterson (1992) and Ellis Island: Gateway to America (1991). He has authored two historical novels, Guardians of the Gate and Defenders of Freedom, and many journal articles.

 

 

04/19/16