Production Page 39
Director’s comment
The idea behind “39” is that I wanted to innovate, to create a story that the audience could watch, enjoy, laugh and cry with while following the characters through their crazy adventures.
We can say that this story is a melting pot between “Memento” and “Snatch”, since it is told in a non-chronological way! The story happens in the course of 48 hours and the only clues between the scenes are certain actions or quotes from the characters that will show us “when” the action happens.
For example the button that Stephan is trying to sew is a marker to the time when the scene happens, the same with quotes from different characters. And with this method of storytelling, we are creating a puzzle, just like in Memento, but with a lot more fun and laughter!
My vision of “39” is quite simple, since I’m also the screenwriter of the story. It will be told with a fast pace, without letting the audience take a rest, and to keep them in the thrill of the story!
Visually, I see “39” as Baz did it with “Romeo + Juliet” and thus: very colorful. Something that will appeal to the MTV generation.
I personally believe that this will be an amazing film, the story is funny, different and appealing, the actors are great. We are playing with a worldwide public since it’s an European film, shot in Belgium, with top American and Hong Kong actors, which means that we will be able to score with this feature with an Chinese audience as well with an American Audience.
Pedro Chaves
Synopsis
Welcome to “39”, a mobster world where the traditional are losing their old influential power. Any hothead with a gun seems to be able to get cash from local store owner. It feels like the days are long gone when the bad guys told the truth with bullets, even when they lied. A search for a code of honor becomes taken up by a heavy and passionate Scotsman, Angus in rebellion of the disorder. This braveheart aficionado has a kind heart and a strong hand. It’s his passion that is the undercurrent of the story in “39”, despite the fact that your first encounter with him is a gunshot to his head.
Meet Stefan, a self proclaimed vegan with a passion for war protests and marijuana legalization. Timid and wary of spicy foods, his entire world changes with a small but necessary visit to the restroom. A gunshot later and a fall to the floor without pants, Stefan is wondering what or who could have possibly brought him into this mess and why this Scotsman is left dead on the floor.
The answer is provided by a myriad of characters with personal struggles and sometimes humorous, but always passionate ambitions that battle with bullets, fists, and wits. The bullets are flying from the guns of the Italian mob duo of Nico and Rico. The targets? Disrespect and bad spaghetti. From Nico the shots can be accidental, but it’s that accidental shot that has brought about Stefan’s original situation.
The Italians motives revolve around a briefcase which can make or break the current affairs of the various ethnic underground mobster organizations. To respond the Chinese mafia boss, sends out his best and seemingly illiterate member, Lee. This kung-fu master with a heart is accompanied by the not so stylish and power hungry Kenny. It is their job to make the life altering briefcase deal with the Italians, but Kenny’s hunger and Lee’s honor are shown to be at odds.
In the midst of this chaos, a glimpse of beauty is maintained with Angus’s gorgeous daughter Jessica, whose sweet smile hides an unknown pain. She is a close friend of Stefan, always making sure that he is taken care of when he is down on luck. She too is heavily invested in the fate of the briefcase, her father, and her best friend… all which is thrown a curveball when an unknown assassin disrupts everyone's plans in a maneuver fit for every proper mobster flick.
Identity and respect are the motives that fill a mobster's gun chamber… so who's left to shoot when those ideals start to fade?
“39”’ is a truly complete action-comedy film with tons of action, plenty of laughs, lovable characters and enough twists and turns to keep the audience of the edge of their seat the entire film. We invite you to be a part of this amazing film which will be watched and loved for generations to come.
Characters
Stefan
Stefan (23) is at the first view the classic hippie, protector of the planet, but in reality his mission is different, he is Jessica’s bodyguard and works for Angus. He likes his job because of the diversity, he gets to go to college and Angus is what we can a call a good boss. And that is more than enough for Stefan.
Angus
Angus (40) is the boss of the Scottish mob, his dream is to become the biggest mob and restore the honor of the Scottish population. He is a hardcore fan of Braveheart (which he pitches to everybody that wants to listen) and of “Pimp my ride”. He has two passions in his life: his daughter Jessica whom he protects and adores more than everything, and his customized pimped Dodge. Angus might be a badass but has an extremely big heart. His wife died which is why he has to raise Jessica on his own.
Jessica
Jessica (22): is the daughter of Angus. And best friend of Stefan. She has no idea that her father is a mob boss. She loves her father a lot because he is all she has since the death of her mother when she was a child. Because of the death of her mother she has quite an open personality and can manage herself in tough situations. She is a protector of the planet, a hippie like Stefan, the typical college student.
Lee
Lee (23) works for Woo as a delivery man, he is a fighter, but quite simple minded. He works for Woo because until now he didn’t find anything better. He has to deliver a suitcase, but finds new opportunities when meeting Angus and love when meeting Jessica.
Kenny
Kenny (27) works for Woo. He cares about one thing: himself. He likes shiny stuff, hairgel, cool outfits and dreams about taking the place of Woo in the Chinese mob and for that he wants to work together with Lee. Until he loses Lee, the suitcase and his chance to take the place of Woo. Kenny will then have to do everything to retrieve all those things and gain his personal glory again.
Woo
Woo (54) is the boss of the Chinese mob. He is a nasty little man, who just wants one thing: power for himself. He has to work with the Italian mob to gain power again but he wouldn’t hesitate to double-cross them, until he realizes that Lee double-crossed him and goes for a vendetta.
Giuliani
Giuliani (60) is the boss of the Italian mob. He wants one thing: payback for the death of Carmello and he wants the suitcases back. And for that he doesn’t care who he has to kill.
Nico & Rico
Nico (25) and Rico (27) are always together, they work for Carmello. Nico is the dumbest, Rico the smartest. They just want to find the assassin of Carmello and get on with their lives. They work for the mob, but just want a relaxing life by playing “The Godfather” on PS3
Carmello
Carmello (39) is GIULIANI’s underling. He has to do the suitcase transfer. Gets killed by the unknown assassin.
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