February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The film, entitled “A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints,” will star Robert Downey Jr. and Rosario Dawson, and will be produced by Trudie Styler.
“We’re desperately looking for an Irish boy, he has to have an Irish accent,” according to Melissa Chuid, casting agent for the movie.
“Experience is preferred but not necessary,” she added.
In addition to being Irish, the candidate must be between 15 and 19 years of age and available to shoot the film in Queens throughout August.
Set in New York City, ” A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints,” will be a low budget, feature-length film based on the autobiography by Dito Montiel.
The movie depicts Montiel’s upbringing in 1980s Astoria, and how most of his friends ended up either dead, on drugs or in prison.
Eventually Montiel fled to Manhattan, where memories of his violent past dogged him at every corner. However, he believes that a number of flawed and desperate “saints,” saved him from succumbing to a tragic fate like his friends.
The Irish actor will play Mike O’Shea, a young, sheltered and sweet boy with a talent for poetry and music who became friends with Montiel after transferring to his high school.
O’Shea, who was from Co. Kildare, encouraged Dito to try new and interesting things. However, their friendship incited jealousy among Montiel’s friends, one of whom eventually murdered O’Shea.
“Mike is the smart kid you have to fall in love with,” according to Montiel, who will also direct the film.
“I’d hate to use an American as their accents tend to get a bit Lucky Charms,” he added.
Those interested should email saintscasting@hotmail.com, and attach a recent photo.