D'Onofrio film gets SFF premiere

HeraldTribune.com | 3.12.10
By Jay Handelman

Actor Vincent D'Onofrio, best known for his roles in the film "Full Metal Jacket" and the TV series "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," will show off a different side of his talent with the premiere of his directorial debut during the Sarasota Film Festival.

On Monday, festival organizers will announce the films and performers scheduled to attend the April 9-18 event, but they revealed Thursday that D'Onofrio's film "Don't Go Into the Woods" will have its premiere with two screenings April 16 and 17.

The film is about a young rock band that tries to gain focus for a new album by heading into the forest, where a series of murders changes them and the music. It is described as a "slasher movie with a twist" as it "explores the dark side of the creative process with plenty of frights."

The film, which features songs by musician Sam Bisbee, stars a group of young, but still unknown actors.

The film will be shown at 9:15 p.m. April 16 and 9:30 p.m. April 17. D'Onofrio also will take part in an "In Conversation" program at Florida Studio Theatre's Gompertz Theatre at 1 p.m. April 18, the festival's closing day.

D'Onofrio first gained attention as Private Pyle in "Full Metal Jacket," and has since been seen in such films as "Men in Black," "Ed Wood," "The Player" and "JFK." For eight years, he has played Det. Robert Goren in the "Law & Order" spin-off.

**Visit our Filmography section for more on "Don't Go in the Woods".