Yonkers Joe

Directed by Robert Celestino (2008)

Robert Celestino in an American film producer, screenwriter, editor and award-winning film director. He is best known for his films, Mr. Vincent and Yonkers Joe. Mr. Vincent premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. The film then made its mark at festivals around the world. It won the Critics’ Award for best film at the Scermi di Amore Film Festival in Italy and the Best Dramatic Feature Award at the Long Island Film Festival.  In 2008, Celestino wrote and directed Yonkers Joe, starring Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti. An ode to old time gamblers, now outdated in an age of powerful upscale casinos, the film tells the story of a dice hustler whose determination to make one last grab for a big score in Vegas is complicated by the reappearance of his estranged, mentally challenged son into his life. Yonkers Joe premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Mr. Celestino currently resides in Yonkers, New York with his wife and son. (102 minutes).Q & A with Director Robert Celestino will follow.