W. Babylon Filmmaker Puts Port Washington on the Big Screen

The Landmark Theater in Port Washington was recently the site for the debut screening of “My Butterfly,” a 30-minute film shot at locations throughout Port Washington. The film was produced by well-known Port resident Robert Richter and filmmaker partner Joe Pomarico, a West Babylon resident.

Richter and Pomarico hope the Landmark screening is just the first in a round of showings and submissions to important film festivals. They’re wagering that success at film festivals will attract backers who will enable them to create a Hollywood feature film. Said Richter: “I have had people in films helping me get it toward a full-length movie.”

As the packed house and congratulations-filled playbill attested, Richter and Pomarico have won the support and encouragement of the Port Washington community through the unusual journey that led them to the creation of “My Butterfly.”

The story of that journey was recounted by Port Washington resident Bert Tobin who introduced the film at the Landmark. He credited the start of this enterprise to coincidence—the coincidence that Pomarico, in need of a job between film projects, would wind up working for Richter, and the further coincidence that Richter, ill from many years of cancer treatment, would need a driver to take him on his rounds of doctor visits.

In the course of their rides together, Pomarico shared his dream of making a movie. Entranced by Pomarico’s vision and excitement, Richter began to mentor the younger man, introducing him to classic films and opera and, ultimately, putting together the resources for Pomarico to create “My Butterfly.”

Chief among the resources corralled by Richter were Port Washington locations such as the mansion at the Village Club of Sands Point, and the local docks, beaches, parks, and brooks where the doomed lovers of the film meet and play out their tragedy.

Based on Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” the film is set to a gorgeous operatic score of arias sung by Maria Callas. Michelle Ghossn and Luke Darnell portray the lovers, Maria and Jack; Alexandra Vino plays Eve, the alluring woman with whom Jack betrays Maria.

Demonstrating that the road to success at Sundance may well run through Port Washington, Richter said he has arranged a screening of “My Butterfly” at the Community Synagogue in Sands Point. He also has invited potential backers to a showing at a hotel in Boston.