Mickey Rourke
films on Broadway
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back to Articles page :: Local stores get their piece in new film
By Al Sullivan
Reporter senior staff writer The Hudson Reporter
February 7th, 08'
Mickey Rourke, star of "Man on Fire" and "Sin City"
paid a day trip to Bayonne last week, filming
portions of a new movie "The Wrestler" at several
locations along Broadway.
Co-staring with actress Marisa Tomei, Rourke plays a
character named Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an
wrestler seeking to make a come back against his
former rival.
Although the film seems to echo a little of the
boxing classic "Rocky," film crew claim "The
Wrestler" is being done in a documentary format. It
is being directed by Dareen Aronofsky, who also
directed "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream."
Filming took place at three locations along
Broadway, uptown at Color & Cuts Salon early in the
day, then later at Tropical Tanning, and the Dolphin
Gym in midtown.
Falisha Hefnawy, owner of Color & Cuts said scouts
for the movie had come in earlier to look over the
place, seeking a unique look that apparently her
place had.
Hefnawy, who has been at the location for almost 12
years specializing in color and highlights, says her
customers include professional actors, including
some of cable TV.
Her daughter, Sarah - who has aspirations of
becoming an actress - was given a role as a client.
"She has been in commercials prior to this," Hefnawy
said.
"I'll be a customer in this film," Sarah said
Prior work commercial work for Sarah included a role
for Phillip Morris.
"Everyone is friendly," Hefnawy said, standing
outside the door as film crews scrambled to prepare
for the shoot.
Hefnawy said film crews came early and prepared the
set for several hours prior to Rourke's arrival at
about 9 a.m.
The buffed up Rourke had long blonde hair and sun
glasses was also accompanied by a look-alike stand
in who filled in for repetitious set up shots for
camera adjustments.
The name of the Color & Cuts will likely appear in
the movie since the staff did not make any changes
to the signs.
Cindy Delesky, owner of Tropical Tanning at the
downtown shook, almost got a role as the woman at
the front desk when the actress scheduled for the
shoot did not show up on time. "I was supposed to be
in the scene when he came in," she said. "But the
actress came."
As
with Color & Cuts, the name of Tropical Tanning will
appear in the movie since the set constructing crew
moved the name to a more prominent locations,
Delesky said.
Tropical Tanning shoot was supposed to be relatively
short but turned out to last almost six hours with
the Rourke's stand in earning his money as a short
distance sprinter as he repeatedly went in and out
of the store to get the entry shot set up right.
Rourke not only shot his segment of the film here,
but also came back later for a tan, pausing to talk
with Delesky.
"He said he liked Bayonne and used to be Dr. [Jack]
Smith's patient," Delesky said. "He said he really
loved the doctor."
The crew apparently made a very good impression on
both Hefnawy and Delseky, who described them as
helpful.
