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Step into the dimly-lit underbelly of the New Jersey mafia with “Bless Me Father,” a raw, unfiltered peek into the world of gangster life, now streaming on Prime Video & Tubi. This labor of love, the brainchild of the multi-talented Gianni McLaughlin, reveals an unglamorous, unexplored side of mafia life, peeling back layers of bravado to expose the grim realities beneath.
If you’re a fan of “Peaky Blinders” then you’re in for a treat. One of Luca Changretta’s assassin’s stars in a new crime drama “Bless Me Father”. It emerges from the creative genius of Gianni McLaughlin, a former actor from the hit series “Peaky Blinders.” This is his debut feature film, which sat in the recesses of his imagination for seven long years before finally making it to the screen. In the words of the man himself, “The only mistake you can make while making art is by not creating the art! It is a dream come true to have ‘Bless Me Father‘ released to the public. This movie has been living inside of my head for seven years, and there’s no better feeling than to share the vision. I only hope everyone enjoys the movie as much as I enjoyed making it!”
This award-winning film is not just a cinematic achievement; it’s a triumph of community spirit. Almost entirely produced by a New Jersey native cast of non-actors, “Bless Me Father” encapsulates a modern-day neorealist mob movie, a tribute to the lesser-seen, grimier aspects of gangster existence. The movie thrusts audiences into a stark tableau of mafia life, the Catholic Church, and family life in New Jersey, unflinchingly unmasking the pain, suffering, and harsh realities of the “thug life.”
McLaughlin didn’t merely write and direct “Bless Me Father;” he also starred in it, edited it, and mixed the sound. He has since been tirelessly marketing and managing PR for the film. And he was not alone. Milly-May, the inspiring woman behind the movie, was the producer, assistant director, actress, and post-production supervisor. Their joint effort is a testament to their shared passion for storytelling.
Gianni McLaughlin’s career trajectory, leading to his latest work, “Bless Me Father,” is as compelling as the film itself. Propelled into the world of acting by his mother, Yolanda Cuomo, a renowned visual artist, Gianni honed his craft at the prestigious Stella Adler acting school in New York, walking the same hallowed halls as Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro.
Gianni’s initial brush with the spotlight arrived with the role of an Italian-American assassin in the hit Netflix series, “Peaky Blinders.” Filmed in Manchester, England, the series proved transformative for Gianni. An encounter with the show’s stars, Cillian Murphy and Adrien Brody, led to their heartfelt advice: write and star in his own movie. Heeding this advice, Gianni crafted the entire script for “Bless Me Father” in his hotel room that very night.
On returning to the U.S., he abandoned his realtor profession and plunged headfirst into film school to acquire the necessary skills to breathe life into “Bless Me Father.” While studying, Gianni landed the lead role in an off-Broadway play, “DOA” (Dead On Arrival). The play became the backdrop to his love story with Milly-May, a fellow storyteller from East London. Their shared passion for storytelling solidified their bond, leading to their marriage only five months later.
However, the outbreak of Covid-19 forced the couple to abandon their plans for a lavish destination wedding. In a twist of fate, they channeled the disappointment into fueling their creative vision. The money saved from the wedding was used to fund “Bless Me Father,” an already-written screenplay, transforming the challenging circumstances into an exciting opportunity. Their shared venture began in the summer of 2020, providing an outlet for the cast and crew amidst a world in lockdown.
“Bless Me Father” emerged not merely as a film but as a testament to resilience, community, and sheer creativity. It has been showered with accolades, winning 12 awards and earning six nominations at various film festivals, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Directing, Best Editing, and Best Sound Design. Today, the film is available on Prime Video and Tubi.
The uniqueness of “Bless Me Father” lies not just in its compelling narrative but in its casting and location choices. Drawing inspiration from Italian & French neorealist directors like Antonioni, Fellini, and Truffaut, Gianni boldly cast non-actors for principal roles. These weren’t just non-actors; they were family and friends, further embedding the film in personal and local history. From his mother, Yolanda Cuomo, to his father, Joseph McLaughlin, and even his grandfather, John Cuomo, “Bless Me Father” became a family affair. Iconic Hudson County scenery is the backdrop to this neorealist mob film, making the production a labor of love that binds together family, friends, and their shared homeland.
The story of “Bless Me Father” is more than a story told on the silver screen. It’s a story of transformation, creativity, resilience, and community. It’s about turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, and it’s a testament to the power of local storytelling. Above all, it is a celebration of the raw, unfettered human spirit – a celebration that promises to captivate audiences for generations to come.
