Rob Margolies, Director/Writer/ Producer of Different Duck Productions whose many films have appeared on Netflix and are currently available for screening on every streaming platform, worldwide. His recent film, Bobcat Moretti has an All-star cast including, Vivica A. Fox, Sally Kirkland, Taryn Manning, and Tim Realbuto. The heart-wrenching drama, “Bobcat Moretti,” is about an obese man with Multiple Sclerosis who takes up his late father’s sport of boxing to overcome immense personal tragedy and find inner peace.
FMM: When Writer and Actor, Tim Realbuto came to you with the script for Bobcat Moretti, what was your initial reaction?
When I first read the script for “Bobcat Moretti”, I didn’t know what to expect. Even though Tim and I talked a lot about the story and plot point before he started writing, when he finished the first draft, I read slowly, not knowing what was going to happen next. It was an idea that we had had for a while before ever putting it on paper but I was blown away as it was finally taking shape and I was excited to have others read it. I was really looking forward to getting to work with Tim on the rewrites as we got it fully ready for production.
FMM: You are known for inspirational narrative in your movies. Why did this script move you?
This script moved me because I started researching Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and I can honestly admit that even though I’ve known many people with MS, I didn’t fully understand the disease until now. Working on the script and getting to know Tim’s mother who has MS made me more aware of what life with MS is like. If Tim and I can bring awareness of MS to millions of people through the character of Bobcat, we hope it can do for MS what Daniel Day-Lewis in “My Left Foot” did for Cerebral Palsy.
“Being as accurate and honest as possible in both the storytelling and the depiction of Multiple Sclerosis was always at the forefront of my mind.”
FMM: You have launched a fundraiser to knockout MS & Obesity. Why is your fundraiser for MS and Obesity so important to you?
This fundraiser is important because there hasn’t been another narrative film that has a protagonist suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and I would like to think that this movie can do for MS what “My Left Foot” did for Cerebral Palsy. The statistic is that 42% of Americans are obese and our lead actor, Tim Realbuto, will have lost over 100 pounds throughout the course of filming Bobcat Moretti. It goes to show that with hard work and determination anyone can lose weight and be healthy and that correlates to everything else in life, much like this fundraiser itself, it takes determination and persistence.
FMM: You have raised over $14,000 with a goal of $99,000. Where will these funds go?
We are planning for all the money to go towards publicity, marketing, advertising, and MS awareness. I’m fairly confident that this film will get picked up by a distributor who will want it to have a theatrical release. In the event we don’t get a deal we like, these funds will allow us to have a multiple city limited theatrical release. Once the film is released and people are watching the film, I hope that everyone will see why I’m so passionately proud of this project and why I’m working so hard to bring awareness to it and what it represents.
Join us today in our fight to knockout MS & Obesity by donating here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Knockout-MS-Obesity-with-Bobcat-Moretti
FMM: You have an All-Star cast. Did you know after reading the script who you wanted to play these roles?
Yes, many of the actors I’ve worked with before. and the ones that I haven’t were offered the role without an audition process. Vivica A. Fox, Taryn Manning, Sally Kirkland, Matt McCoy, and Matt Peters were all on the shortlist for these roles as the script was taking shape. I’m so lucky to have them involved with this project. Sheria Irving did audition for us and it was one of the best self-tapes I have ever seen, which earned her the role of Lacey. She is doing such an amazing job with the character.
FMM: Did you feel a social responsibility to translate the film in such a way keeping in mind the people who suffer from MS? What did you do differently in this film?
Being as accurate and honest as possible in both the storytelling and the depiction of Multiple Sclerosis was always at the forefront of my mind. Working with Tim, who has lived as a caretaker for his mom as well as other friends and acquaintances who have MS, helped in the process of writing this film. The extensive research I did is what separates this from less personal films I’ve made in the past.
FMM: What was the hardest challenge in making this movie?
Having to shoot the first half of the film in Los Angeles in 2020 during the pandemic, we worried that if one person got Covid, the shoot would be postponed and we couldn’t afford to lose any days. We had very strict Covid protocols in place so everyone would be safe. I had the best cast and crew and we all had the best time shooting this film. The hardest challenge now is controlling my anxiety while having to wait until July to shoot the 2nd half.
FMM: Share the philosophy behind Bobcat Moretti.
The philosophy behind “Bobcat Moretti” is that with hard work, exercise, diet, and self-control, anybody can lose weight and fight obesity. These ingredients are also the best advice for anyone fighting with MS.
FMM: What was the most important lesson you had in your life that had a positive effect on your films?
The most important lesson that has positively affected my films is the more I’m able to invest my heart in the project, the better it’s going to be.
FMM: What would people be surprised to know about you?
This question would be better off said, what would people find unsurprising about me? I guess what is most surprising about me is that everybody may think they know me, but the only people that can actually say they really know me, are the two kids that I live with, I am a single father. The work I put into parenting requires so much more attention to detail, patience, and time than filmmaking. I wouldn’t want it any other way. According to The New York Times, a professor at Georgetown told President Bill Clinton “Great men require less sleep.” Those words stuck with me and I attribute a lot of that to being able to say that I’m living my dreams.
FMM: Is Bobcat Moretti a Knockout? Why does this film make you so proud?
This film is a knockout that I bet you, if Tim continues to lose a lot of weight to the point where his body turns heads, I will do whatever is required to get a sequel. The movie ends in a way that totally warrants one. This could honestly be a franchise about an inspirational boxer with MS. What I’m most proud about is that Tim has lost over 100 pounds already because he’s passionate about his art, a lot more than any other actor that I ever met. He makes me want to be the best filmmaker and I think this film is proof of that.
FMM: Additionally, Rob Margolies, Jessica Carollo, and Eve Austin are co-creators of the unprecedented First Frame Film Festival in Las Vegas 7/31-8/1. IMDB qualified currently open for entries on Film Freeway. https://filmfreeway.com/FirstFrameIFF First Frame Festival is the first festival that in addition to Laurels and awards offers winners in various categories distribution deals, free production services for creating and developing new content For best actor/actress awards offer them a role on a film on the slate as well as introductions to top creators in Hollywood. Looking to discover the newest and best screenwriters, directors, creators and actors in all categories.
FMM: What’s next for you?
Aside from “Bobcat Moretti,” I am working on 3 vastly different scripts that I’m passionate about and am confident will serve me well as I approach the next level of my career. Please visit www.Robmargoliesfilmmaker.com to check out my current and upcoming projects.
FMM: Please share your social media links.
Instagram:
@margolies.rob
@bobcatmoretti
Facebook:
@Differentduckfilms
@bobcatmoretti
Twitter:
@different_duck
@DiffDuck
@BobcatMoretti
Tik Tok:
@BobcatMoretti
