Pay attention when you see actor Artie Lange on screen (you should always pay attention when Artie's on screen because guy's frickin' hilarious!) because at one point, he's standing right where you'll be sitting watching it.
"When you go see the movie, it's taking place exactly where you're sitting," said Capelli.
Mail Order Bride was written by Capelli, Doug Bollinger, and Sergey Konenkov, and was directed by Capelli and Jeffery Wolf. It stars Capelli, Ivana Milicevic, and Danny Aiello.
Filmed half in Hoboken and half in Russia, Mail Order Bride is about a joint venture between the Italian and Russian Mafia, a mail order bride business. When one of the brides steals money from the men she was meant to marry, the Italians send one of their guys over to Russia to retrieve it.
"I play a f---up in the Italian mafia," said Capelli. "Danny Aiello's character doesn't want to send anyone good over there, so he sends me, and I get into all kinds of trouble."
Capelli was born and raised in Hoboken, and for a short time taught architectural drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer aided design at Hoboken High School.
While he was teaching, he began taking acting classes in Manhattan, and this side interest eventually bloomed into a full time endeavor.
"I started doing support roles, but it was moving too slow," Capelli said.
In 1999, Capelli co-wrote, directed, and stared in the film Rules for Men, a spoof on the popular woman's dating guide.
In both Rules for Men and Mail Order Bride, Capelli was able to enlist the help of such recognizable actors as Aiello, Lange, Vincent Pastore, Frank Gorshin, and Jackie Martling.
"Danny Aiello is a friend of my cousin, Mark Settembre, who is also the executive producer," said Capelli. "Danny's way supportive of young New Jersey filmmakers."
Having name actors in a movie often helps an independent filmmaker in future projects.
Capelli also tries to use local talent. David Orface, now a junior at Hoboken High School, has appeared in both his movies.
Capelli was formerly a film commissioner in Hoboken, acting as a liaison between production companies and the city.
"Mayor Anthony Russo wanted to make sure we were on the receiving end when production companies came to town, instead of being exploited," said Capelli. "Hoboken is a small city, so production companies can be disruptive. I made sure they use local talent and don't use too much parking."
Capelli plans to begin shooting a new project this fall.
Mail Order Bride will play Monday, Aug. 23 at Pier A Park at 8:30 as part of the town's Movies Under the Stars series.
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