sador to Denmark , Ethelwynde , also referred to as Winthrop Estate because it was once owned by the Winthrop family ( 1893- 1928 ), was purchased in 2003 by Ethan and Jamie Berg and portrays the perfect escape for the film ’ s sardonic antagonist , played by Josh Brenner .
“ We were able to make some of the rooms look like they were being restored , and having some of the buildings on the property not renovated made it all so perfect for the story ,” says Aspenlieder . “ Rooms in the mansion were beautifully furnished , excellent for the shoot as well as accommodations for our writer , directing team , and producers . One-stop shopping !”
“ We really love filming in the Berkshires ,” adds Weissner . “ It ’ s gorgeous , for one , but what ’ s going to keep us coming back is the support from the community .”
Among many other things on the set , Aspenlieder handled transportation , accommodations , and food . “ Some days I had to find food for 50 people — breakfast , a mid-shoot meal , plus a third takeout meal ,” she says . “ If we started shooting at 6 at night , our dinner break was six hours after that . Where do you find a place that ' s going to do food for us when we wrap ? Almost everything in the Berkshires closes at 9 !”
Find places she did , working with Mazzeos , Gateways Inn , and Loeb ’ s . “ It is such a local film ,” she says . “ The crew worked out at Lenox Fitness . Lenox electrician Scott Pignatelli came to the house on a Sunday night when the power went out in the foyer where were shooting a key scene . I called Bousquet and Jiminy Peak asking for snow because the natural cover melted before we were done . The support from the community was overwhelming !”
Aspenlieder also was responsible for local casting . Abbott ’ s Limousine in Lee not only donated vehicles for the FBI scene , but their drivers drove the cars in the film . She cast Allyn Burrows , artistic director for Shakespeare & Company , as the bartender in the opening bar scene , as well as herself and local actor / director Michelle Joyner for small parts . All three lost their lines on the cutting room floor but still appear on camera . Acclaimed stage actor Nigel Gore at Shakespeare & Company played the mansion ’ s groundskeeper .
While BIFF ’ s selection team is still finalizing this year ’ s lineup , Aspenlieder , who is on BIFF ’ s Advisory Board , is thrilled not only that Cold Wallet made the cut , but that Wiessner will participate in the panels .
“ One of the great things about the festival is the panels ,” agrees Weissner . “ I ’ m a huge supporter of filmmaker education .”
According to Vickery , BIFF will screen fewer than their usual 75 films because one of the Great Barrington Triplex Cinema ’ s three theaters is undergoing renovation . “ The Triplex is the home of BIFF . We are very grateful to the entire team for saving the Triplex ; it ’ s where the festival started . We are strong partners with the Mahaiwe , where we hold bigger events , like openings and closings , and we also screen at Lenox Town Hall and Shakespeare & Company .” ■
BIFF is May 29 – June 2 . The full lineup will be available on April 26 at biffma . org .
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May Holiday / June 2024 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 103