Nicholas Celozzi has dedicated a significant portion of his life to examining the events leading up to the assassination of former U.S. president John F. Kennedy. Growing up, he was surrounded by whispered tales, and discussions with his uncle Joseph [Pepe] Giancana, brother of Chicago Mob boss Sam Giancana, provided insights into his family’s potential involvement in a pivotal moment in American history.
Having seen numerous portrayals of Sam Giancana in various media, Celozzi is now approaching the 1963 shooting of Kennedy from a fresh angle, focusing on the key figures within the Chicago Outfit, a formidable Italian-American criminal syndicate. His latest venture into screenwriting is not just about recounting another assassination narrative but also about honoring his family legacy.
Celozzi emphasized the importance of portraying the real, vulnerable individuals behind the names, expressing his family’s weariness of their name being exploited for fictionalized stories. The shadow of Sam Giancana, a prominent figure in the Chicago Outfit during the 1950s and 1960s with close ties to the Kennedy family, looms large over the narrative. Giancana’s unsolved murder in 1975 and the speculation surrounding the mob’s potential involvement in Kennedy’s assassination serve as central themes in Celozzi’s film “November 1963,” currently in production in Winnipeg.
Drawing from Pepe Giancana’s accounts, Celozzi delves into the 48 hours leading up to the tragic event, presenting what he refers to as the “Pepe chronicles” – a collection of stories detailing the family’s connections to the Mob. Having inherited these tales from Pepe Giancana, who passed away in the mid-’90s, Celozzi felt compelled to craft a narrative that respectfully honors his family’s history, steering clear of the stereotypical depictions often seen in mob-focused productions.
Collaborating with Sam Giancana’s daughter, Bonnie Giancana, Celozzi meticulously developed the script over years, ensuring that every aspect remained faithful to the narrative passed down to him. With the support of seasoned Canadian producer Kevin DeWalt, the film wrapped up shooting in Winnipeg recently and is now entering post-production in Saskatchewan.
Featuring a star-studded cast including John Travolta, Dermot Mulroney, and Mandy Patinkin, and under the direction of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Roland Joffe, “November 1963” aims to provide a fresh perspective on the historical event. The decision to film in Winnipeg, chosen over cities like Atlanta and New Orleans for its reminiscent charm of 1960s Chicago, was further solidified by the city’s Exchange District neighborhood, deemed a perfect match for the film’s setting.
The meticulous attention to detail is evident in the recreation of Dealey Plaza, built from scratch at Birds Hill Provincial Park, and the inclusion of 1,500 extras and dozens of period-appropriate vehicles to capture the essence of the era. DeWalt anticipates that audiences will be captivated by the film’s authenticity, offering a new lens through which to view this significant moment in history.
In response to concerns about potential controversies, Celozzi clarified that his intention is not to sensationalize but rather to present a missing piece of the puzzle with honesty and integrity, allowing viewers to form their interpretations of the events portrayed on screen.