41 (film)
Encyclopedia
41 is an independent feature-length documentary about Nicholas O'Neill
, the youngest victim of the Station nightclub fire, which claimed the lives of 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island
on February 20, 2003. The documentary, which was co-created by filmmakers Christian de Rezendes and Christian O'Neill (Nicholas' brother), interweaves the story of Nicholas' life, as described by his family and friends and illustrated with home videos, with footage from the film They Walk Among Us, which is based on a play of the same name
written by Nicholas a year before he passed. The titular number, as described by the film, was of spiritual significance to Nicholas, although the reasons behind this are not fully known. The film also details how his family and friends believe that Nicholas may have prophetically known that he would die at a young age, and that he continues to communicate with them as a spirit, often through "signs" involving the number 41.
Several notable individuals either appear in the film or acted as consultants on it, including novelist Jon Land, writer Ann Hood
, paranormal researcher Gary Schwartz
, psychic mediums Robert Brown, Maureen Hancock and Cindy Gilman, and AVID co-creator Tom Ohanian. Both of the directors appear in the film and act as storytellers, relating their personal connection to the story.
, he proposed to Christian O'Neill the idea of making a short companion film in which people could tell their own stories of their own alleged "signs." As the two began to collaborate, the film grew into a feature length film that tells a much fuller story of Nicholas' life and the way in which his family and friends responded to the tragedy, with paranormal elements such as EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and Spirit Orbs interwoven into the story.
in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the Woods Hole Film Festival
in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the Blue Mountain Film Festival in Ontario, Canada, where it won the prize for Best Documentary (Narrative). Reviews have been generally positive, including a five-star review from Film Threat
. In 2008, the film was picked up for distribution by Nehst Studios, a production and distribution company headed by Larry Meistrich
(producer of Sling Blade
). Since that time, it has had two theatrical runs, both in its home state of Rhode Island. In 2007, the filmmakers were the featured guests on Beyond Reality Radio with Jason Hawes
and Grant Wilson
from the television program Ghost Hunters
, which is based in Warwick, Rhode Island, close to the site of the Station fire.
Nicholas O'Neill
Nicholas O'Neill was the youngest of the 100 victims of The Station nightclub fire, which occurred in West Warwick, Rhode Island.. He had turned 18 in January of that year...
, the youngest victim of the Station nightclub fire, which claimed the lives of 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island
West Warwick, Rhode Island
West Warwick is a town in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 29,191 at the 2010 census.West Warwick was incorporated in 1913, making it the youngest town in the state. Prior to 1913, the town, situated on the western bank of the Pawtuxet River, was the population and...
on February 20, 2003. The documentary, which was co-created by filmmakers Christian de Rezendes and Christian O'Neill (Nicholas' brother), interweaves the story of Nicholas' life, as described by his family and friends and illustrated with home videos, with footage from the film They Walk Among Us, which is based on a play of the same name
They Walk Among Us
They Walk Among Us is a one-act play written by Nicholas O'Neill, the youngest victim of the Station nightclub fire, a 2003 blaze that claimed the lives of 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island...
written by Nicholas a year before he passed. The titular number, as described by the film, was of spiritual significance to Nicholas, although the reasons behind this are not fully known. The film also details how his family and friends believe that Nicholas may have prophetically known that he would die at a young age, and that he continues to communicate with them as a spirit, often through "signs" involving the number 41.
Several notable individuals either appear in the film or acted as consultants on it, including novelist Jon Land, writer Ann Hood
Ann Hood
Ann Hood is an American novelist and short story writer; she has also written nonfiction. The author of thirteen books, her essays and short stories have appeared in many journals and magazines, including The Paris Review, Ploughshares, and Tin House. Hood is a regular contributor to The New York...
, paranormal researcher Gary Schwartz
Gary Schwartz
Gary E. Schwartz, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona best known for controversial experiments with mediums.-Biography:...
, psychic mediums Robert Brown, Maureen Hancock and Cindy Gilman, and AVID co-creator Tom Ohanian. Both of the directors appear in the film and act as storytellers, relating their personal connection to the story.
History
Christian de Rezendes describes in the film itself how he was inspired to after he himself had an experience of the number 41 which he believed may have been a sign from Nicholas. While working on the film version of They Walk Among UsThey Walk Among Us
They Walk Among Us is a one-act play written by Nicholas O'Neill, the youngest victim of the Station nightclub fire, a 2003 blaze that claimed the lives of 100 people in West Warwick, Rhode Island...
, he proposed to Christian O'Neill the idea of making a short companion film in which people could tell their own stories of their own alleged "signs." As the two began to collaborate, the film grew into a feature length film that tells a much fuller story of Nicholas' life and the way in which his family and friends responded to the tragedy, with paranormal elements such as EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) and Spirit Orbs interwoven into the story.
Reception
To date, 41 has been played at nine film festivals across the United States and Canada, including the Bare Bones International Film FestivalBare Bones International Film Festival
The Bare Bones International Film Festival was founded in 1999 by the Darkwood Film Arts Institute in the city of Muskogee, Oklahoma to showcase low-budget independent movies...
in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the Woods Hole Film Festival
Woods Hole Film Festival
The Woods Hole Film Festival was founded in 1991 by Judith Laster and Kate Davis.Over the years, it has grown from a one day invitational event to an eight day event with films submitted from around the world. The Festival is held each year from the last Saturday of July through the first Saturday...
in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the Blue Mountain Film Festival in Ontario, Canada, where it won the prize for Best Documentary (Narrative). Reviews have been generally positive, including a five-star review from Film Threat
Film Threat
Film Threat is a former print magazine and, now, webzine which focuses primarily on independent film, although it also reviews DVDs of mainstream films and Hollywood movies in theaters. It first appeared as a photocopied zine in 1985, created by Wayne State University students Chris Gore and André...
. In 2008, the film was picked up for distribution by Nehst Studios, a production and distribution company headed by Larry Meistrich
Larry Meistrich
Larry Meistrich is an award-winning film producer. He was a founding member of the now defunct film production company The Shooting Gallery....
(producer of Sling Blade
Sling Blade
Sling Blade is a 1996 American drama film set in rural Arkansas, written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, who also stars in the lead role. It tells the story of a mentally impaired man named Karl Childers who is released from a psychiatric hospital, where he has lived since killing his mother...
). Since that time, it has had two theatrical runs, both in its home state of Rhode Island. In 2007, the filmmakers were the featured guests on Beyond Reality Radio with Jason Hawes
Jason Hawes
Jason Conrad Hawes is the founder of The Atlantic Paranormal Society , which is based in Warwick, Rhode Island. He is also one of the stars and co-producers of Syfy's Ghost Hunters, which is in its seventh season.-Family:He and his wife have five children - three girls and twin boys...
and Grant Wilson
Grant Wilson
Grant Steven Wilson is the co-founder of The Atlantic Paranormal Society , which is based in Warwick, Rhode Island. He is also one of the stars and co-producers of Syfy's Ghost Hunters, which has just been renewed for its seventh season.-Personal life:He and his wife Reanna have three sons...
from the television program Ghost Hunters
Ghost Hunters
Ghost Hunters is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on October 6, 2004, on Syfy . The program features paranormal investigators Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson who investigate places that are reported to be haunted. The two originally worked as plumbers for Roto-Rooter as...
, which is based in Warwick, Rhode Island, close to the site of the Station fire.