Palisadian Alden Ehrenreich has just completed his freshman year at New York University’s Tisch School of Drama but was delayed in his return home to attend the New York opening of ‘Tetro,’ Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film, in which the 18-year-old has a starring role. The budding actor, having never appeared in a feature film, won the role of Bennie Tetrocinni, a young man who journeys to South America to find and reconcile with his estranged sibling (Vincent Gallo). The movie also stars Spanish actress Maribel Verd’ (‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’, who plays Miranda, Tetro’s girlfriend and Bennie’s confidante. ’Tetro’ swirls around a family whose patriarch, Klaus Maria Brandauer, is a tyrannical orchestra conductor and his sons, who are writers. Ehrenreich began acting while at Palisades Elementary; at Crossroads he wrote, directed and acted in student films with friends. A spirited and comedic performance by Alden, shown at a friend’s bat mitzvah reception caught the attention of Steven Spielberg. This led to TV roles on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ and ‘Supernatural.’ Ehrenreich won the role of Bennie after five months of auditions, continuing Coppola’s history of nurturing young actors. The director introduced Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise and Diane Lane, among others in ‘The Outsiders.’ For his part, Ehrenreich found working with the famous director of the Godfather films ‘warm, inviting and collaborative. ‘It’s like he provides the map, but you find what countries you want to visit. He doesn’t give you a specific laundry list, he invited you into the environment, and you decide how to interact.” ‘Tetro’ will have a preview opening on Thursday, June 11 at the Landmark, 10850 West Pico Blvd. Show times are 11 a.m., 1:50, 4:40. 7:30 and 10:15 p.m.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
