Breathing life into a lost son’s dream

Parents, friends help produce Kyle Cerilli’s film

By Kelcy Dolan
Posted 11/12/15

When Kyle Cerilli passed away last year, his parents, Vin and Annette Cerilli, took on his dreams. They took over his company, Morbidly Amusing Productions, and made sure his final script, …

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Breathing life into a lost son’s dream

Parents, friends help produce Kyle Cerilli’s film

Posted

When Kyle Cerilli passed away last year, his parents, Vin and Annette Cerilli, took on his dreams. They took over his company, Morbidly Amusing Productions, and made sure his final script, “Slimebuck,” was produced.

On Friday, Nov. 6, not only did Kyle’s “Slimebuck” premiere for a crowd of nearly 200 of his family and friends, but so did the documentary following his life.

“We wanted to make this film in his memory,” Vin said. “We wanted to pick up where he left off.”

Kyle was born in Seattle, Wash., but grew up in Cranston. At age six, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, becoming the “poster child” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Rhode Island.

“He was a real ham in front of the camera,” Vin said. “Typically those children don’t do too well and they don’t live long, but Kyle didn’t do too bad for himself. He never let anything hold him back. He just lived in the moment.”

At the age of 12, he was confined to a wheelchair.

He grew up to love the “Goosebumps” book series and quickly fell in love with the horror genre altogether. He became fond of film, eventually working at Showcase Cinemas and attending Rhode Island College, graduating cum laude with a degree in film studies.

Although Vin couldn’t speak to why Kyle loved the horror genre specifically, he noted that it was more than the blood and gore that typically come with such films. He connected with the stories and characters behind it all.

Kyle went on to found Morbidly Amusing Productions, writing film and music reviews even his own movie scripts.

“His creative side was dominant. He could come up with these ideas and stories that were just incredible,” Vin said. “Because of the muscular dystrophy, he would have to type everything one letter at a time with a mouse. He would write all day long just to get his voice out there. He had such dedication."

On April 7, 2014, at the age of 30, Kyle passed away as a result of complications from muscular dystrophy.

Vin said muscular is a debilitating disease, with sufferers losing more and more of their ability as time goes on. He said rather than using this as a reason to "roll over and check out," Kyle tirelessly lived for his passion for film, working until his "very last breath."

"He lived mind over matter," Vin said. "He overcame such physical disability because he had just so much mental strength that carried him through it all."

"Slimebuck" - described as the "strange tale of a boy and his monster" and "'E.T.' meets 'Home Alone'" - was the final script Kyle had written. He had the extraterrestrial creature's puppet made and even worked with Tom DeNucci from Woodhaven Productions, a Rhode Island-based film company, to have the film produced, but passed away before it came to fruition.

Vin and Annette took on the task of co-producing the film, partnering with DeNucci, who would go on to direct "Slimebuck."

Even after only a few times meeting and hanging out with Kyle, DeNucci, too, felt that he had to make this movie.

"Being with Kyle even in the short time I knew him really impacted me," DeNucci said. "Knowing he wanted to do what I was doing, seeing him bedridden and physically incapable, but still working in anyway he could to be a part of the industry. He taught me to be thankful for where I am in life and not to take anything for granted."

He said that the film industry can often be a selfish one, but he wanted to change that with "Slimebuck," making the movie for Kyle and his parents.

The nearly half-hour short was filmed last October and has been in postproduction for the past year.

While Kyle's parents took on "Slimebuck," some of his friends got together to create a documentary capturing Kyle's life, his struggles and achievements, but also the positive effect he had on so many lives.

Vin admitted the documentary was a "tearjerker," but said it's an inspirational story.

"'Slimebuck' is his movie, but the real story here is the man who never let anything stop him from following his dream. This is just one thing he accomplished. He did more in 30 years than most do in a lifetime," Vin said.

The viewing of the documentary and "Slimebuck" was hosted at Rhode Island College in Sapinsley Hall.

DeNucci, who has seen both the documentary and film, took the time to watch the audience during the premiere, "when they laughed or when they 'oohed' and 'aahed.'"

"It was really special to see his friends, family, the people that were closest to him really celebrate his life and enjoy his work. It was a great memorial to him to show this immensely passionate man and for everyone to see his dreams realized," he said.

DeNucci said films last forever, meaning that Kyle's legacy will continue despite his passing. He and Kyle's parents hope the short film stirs enough interest that the script will be picked up for a feature length film.

Vin also said he and Annette plan on bringing other scripts of Kyle's to life as well.

"It has been tough for us, the movie and filming of the documentary. It reopens everything, like reliving it over again," Vin said. "But this is something we felt we had to do even though it's difficult. We want to keep his legacy as a filmmaker alive through his films."

For more information on Kyle Cirelli and Morbidly Amusing Productions, visit www.morbidlyamusing.com

For more information on "Slimebuck," visit slimebuckthemovie.com or its Facebook page.

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