May 10 2007
Gambino Genes
“That really happened,” Gambino says.
Other scenes — like the description of Mafia induction rituals or details about the daily routine of picking up and dropping off money — seem to provide glimpses into Mob life. In his author’s note, Gambino hints that the book might hold “the solutions to some of New York’s unexplained crimes.”
The glimmer of authenticity is part of the reason that My Only Son is currently in development with Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions, with the screenplay by Gambino himself. DeLaurentiis’ most ambitious project to date was last year’s Mafia-themed movie called 10th & Wolf, whose cast included Giovanni Ribisi, Dennis Hopper, and Tommy Lee. Juliette Harris, speaking on behalf of the producer, said that DeLaurentiis plans to turn Gambino’s book into a motion picture.
“This is not going to be a little independent film,” Harris says. She concedes that talks with stars can falter and that distribution problems can derail even the most ambitious plans, but her expectation is that Gambino’s story will be coming soon to a theater near you. No, she isn’t at liberty to disclose possible actors DeLaurentiis is talking to, but she says, “This is going to be a big-budget film with big names attached.”
Gambino, ever ready to hype his story, adds: “There’s no doubt in my mind this thing is gonna do a hundred million dollars.”
He’s in a hurry, he says. “I want it shot this year because I want it released next year. I want to be at the Oscars in 2009.”
Harris says that Gambino’s script was chosen for development by DeLaurentiis because of its “real authenticity and insight.” She cites “his family, his firsthand knowledge.” But certainly, part of the allure, she acknowledges, is the screenwriter’s name: “It doesn’t get much bigger than the Gambino family.”
Inside a warehouse-style building in Miami’s Wynwood District, breezy white curtains drape from the high ceiling to the concrete floor; behind them, workers have set up a catwalk. A hum builds as hundreds of people mill around booths to peep at jewelry and accessories on display. Stylish women in high heels click-clack across the room; men who wear hair gel sidle up to the bar. Designers beckon anyone with a press badge: “Would you like to see my collection?” For the lucky participants, deals will be made and careers will get launched. This is what Miami Fashion Week looks like.
Backstage, a petite blond with Rapunzel-like tresses quietly prepares the garments for 25 models who are about to show off her clothing line. Around her, makeup artists furiously brush girls’ cheeks; event organizers yell into their walkie-talkies. Evelina Gambino, about to launch her first fashion show ever, is remarkably calm.
Christopher Gambino recalls how he met his wife: “About five years ago, I was advertising for models, and I was dealing with a bunch of European agencies. And I pulled up her picture and said, ‘Would you get me this girl?’ And I got her e-mail and phone number, and we had a conversation, and that was it after that. She was overseas — I had her fly here to meet me. She stepped off the plane, and I took one look at her and said, ‘God, I only asked for a model and… oh my God —’” He looks gratefully toward heaven. “She’s absolutely beautiful, and she’s a very sweet, caring person.”
In a Romanian accent, Evi explains her vision: “My inspiration is just to be sexy, elegant, something that is not revealing too much skin. Decent.” What she designs depends on what materials she finds and likes, but her collection is a mix of “daily casual, sexy, hats and dresses, nice jackets and skirts, and mostly jeans.”
Ah, yes, the bullet-hole jeans. Basically, they’re stretch jeans with small holes — “bullet holes” — in the legs. Each hole is circled by a ring of Swarovski crystals.
“Long story short, I have a daughter,” Christopher explains. “She had jeans at the house. I have a friend who owned a gun range. One day, I says, ‘I got this crazy idea.’ I put the jeans up on the pole there and shot some bullet holes in them. I put up a couple-page website, put some crystals on them. Next thing I know, I’ve got this jean thing going on.” Gambino says that in addition to his brick-and-mortar Deerfield Beach store, boutiques in Plantation, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Japan all sell them. A website, www.gambinojapan.com, advertises a Gambino Jeans store in Tokyo.
