|
 |
Separation anxiety. Charlie Shanian has moved on but still has to see his ex-wife's name in the credits of his short film. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
|
|
|
Joint custody
A newly minted filmmaker divorces Tori Spelling but still has to keep her name
BY JILLIAN RODRIGUEZ
Charlie Shanian might have gained his notoriety by once being married - briefly - to the woman who played the virginal Donna Martin on "Beverly Hills 90210." But he is making a name for himself in the film industry - even if the notorious blonde's is still attached to his first directing project.
Shanian's short film, "Le Chase," will have its East Coast premiere at this year's Rhode Island International Film Festival on Saturday night, Aug. 12, at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center in Providence. The 20-minute black-and-white film is a dry comedy done in deliberately poor French - it quirkily pays homage to the classic "The Red Balloon," and other early French films. The storyline is simple: a scuffle over graffiti leads to a grandiose chase between "Le Hero," played by Shanian, and a group of three French punks.
With many twists and turns, a surprising love story emerges between "Le Hero" and a gangly female punk.
"Like 'Le Hero' I think that I'm an artist that wants to bring beauty to the world," Shanian explained in a telephone interview.
"I've always been a romantic - before, during and after Tori Spelling."
Although his ex-wife is listed as the film's executive producer, Shanian claims that most of Spelling's involvement went into costume design and preliminary organization. Her title was strictly "honorary," he insisted.
Spelling, now married to Canadian actor Dean McDermott, is not expected to attend the film festival. Shanian said he and his ex-wife are no longer on speaking terms. As for the death of his former father-in-law, Aaron Spelling, in June, Shanian sadly remarked, "I wasn't invited to the funeral."
But actor Randy Spelling, Tori's younger brother, is slated to attend the festival. He appears in the film "Hot Tamale," which is being screened in the Columbus' downstairs theater at the same time the group of films that include "Le Chase" is being shown.
The festival could also be some kind of abbreviated six degrees of separation from Tori Spelling. Fellow "90210" cast member Tiffani Thiessen directed the short film "Just Pray," which is showing before "Le Chase." The score for "Le Chase," was written by Andrew Chukerman, a keyboardist for Rod Stewart and composer for TV's "Frasier" and the WB fantasy series "Charmed." The latter was a creation of Aaron Spelling and starred another "90210" principal, Shannen Doherty.
Despite the drama in his life (on and off the set), Shanian, 40, who grew up in Peabody, Mass., and now lives in Los Angeles, remains true to his passion for acting, writing, and directing films. He is scheduled this fall to begin production of his new feature film, "The Passion of Danny Burke," another comedy laced with pathos.
"Le Chase" is among five short films to be screened at the Rhode Island International Film Festival's "Actor Turned Filmmaker Showcase" Saturday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the upstairs Cinematheque at the Columbus Theatre Arts Center, 270 Broadway, Providence. Tickets $10. Call 861-4455 or visit www.rifilmfest.org.
|
|
 |
|
