SHENANGO VALLEY — Bob Golub’s film about his family and growing up in the Shenango Valley was shown for the first time Thursday in Los Angeles.
The screening of “Dodo” was part of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival’s LA festival.
“I was nervous,” said the Sharon native, who has been working on the film for more than a year. “I’m kind of oblivious to it. I’ve been into it so much now. But, people were laughing where they were supposed to.”
Members of the audience of 50 also responded to the heavier themes, such as death, drugs and family dysfunction, he said. People were interviewed as they left the Laemmle Fairfax Theatre, and others called and e-mailed Golub.
“It was great,” he said. “Last night was a very good indicator that people are going to get it.”
“Dodo,” with its title taken from the nickname of Golub’s father, Donald E. Golub Sr., is a “docucomedy” with interviews of family members, people who knew the family and others in the Shenango Valley, and staged scenes from their lives.
In his blog, editor Brad Mays called the film, “Very funny, very sad and very profane.”
Mays stuck with Golub even after Golub’s money ran out, and worked through a restructuring of the story line.
“I think I can honestly say that I’ve never — and I mean NEVER — seen anything quite like it,” Mays wrote.
Golub, 49, of Los Angeles, said he was surprised at how good the film looked on the big screen, and the vibrancy of the colors.
“The colors just jumped out,” said the actor and comedian. “When I saw it, I thought something was wrong.”
Golub, who created his own production company for the film, which he produced with his wife, Emilie Shirer Golub, is focusing on getting the 70-minute “Dodo” seen in other cities. He might be able to get a New York screening through the festival, and he’s working hard to host a showing in the Sharon area. He’s in talks with Shenango Valley Cinemas for a showing in Hermitage.
But, if that option falls through, Golub vowed to show it somehow locally, even if he has to rent equipment and run it in an unconventional setting.
“I know the numbers I would do in Sharon,” Golub said. “I know I would sell out the first week. I’m gonna do it somewhere.”
He hopes additional showings will generate reviews, which can spur on interest for more screenings. Golub said he knows of no reviews spawned by the first showing.
He also has talked to officials at cable television channels.
“A man from HBO called me up and talked to me for 45 minutes about why he’s not going to buy it,” Golub said.
Golub said he will be persistent, knowing there is no other way.
“You just can’t take no for an answer,” he said. “Nothing’s easy. You gotta get one person who thinks they can make money. I think we’re gonna get lucky somewhere.”
The film arose from Golub’s one-man stage show, “Dodo,” in which he acts as himself and family members.
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‘Dodo’ debuts; Golub promises local screening
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