Letters: Spione’s Oscar bid

Thursday, 09 February 2012 01:00

Last Friday night, the Lake Katonah Clubhouse was converted into the "Lake Katonah Cinema."

The rustic, beachfront meeting house was the site of a sneak preview for the Academy Award nominated documentary short "Incident in New Baghdad."

This brilliant, graphic, 25-minute film (focusing on the horror of war and post-traumatic stress disorder) was directed by Lewisboro's latest Oscar nominee, James Spione, a world-class filmmaker, who edited this chilling documentary in the basement of his Lake Katonah home: incidentinnewbaghdad.com/.

Besides having beautiful lake communities, Lewisboro has had quite a few beautiful minds as well.

Maureen Koehl, Lewisboro's terrific town historian, revealed a bunch of Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award winners/nominees who have hung their hats in Lewisboro, during a recent phone call.

This stellar group of local Hollywood legends is highlighted by George C. Scott, Colleen Dewhurst, Stanley Tucci, and Carole Jenkins (South Salem), Barry and Fran Weissler (Waccabuc) Marisa Tomei (Goldens Bridge), and now James Spione (Katonah). Pretty impressive for our sleepy, little town!

And if I've omitted any other screen, stage or television stars, hailing from Lewisboro, please chime in.

Best of luck to Academy Award nominated director/neighbor James Spione, on Sunday, Feb. 26, at the 84th Academy Award ceremonies, at the Kodak Theater in L.A. The 100-plus film fans that jammed the Lake Katonah Cinema last week will be holding our collective breath when the winner is announced for "Best Documentary Short."

STEVEN WARSHAW

Goldens Bridge, Feb. 6