FFG Retired exec finds movie career a family thing

Missed this article when it first came out.

http://tinyurl.com/yafqnyn

Retired exec finds movie career a family thing
Kathy Shayna Shocket
Special to The Republic
Apr. 3, 2008 01:29 PM

PARADISE VALLEY - When Malcolm Jozoff retired from his chief executive officer post at Dial Corp. in 2000, he never dreamed of a role in the movie business, let alone as executive producer of a romantic comedy.

But these days he and his wife, Jane, are busy promoting Falling for Grace.

It's being screened Friday and Saturday at the Phoenix Film Festival at Scottsdale 101. It opens at Harkins Camelview 5 on April 18. And Malcolm's name will be listed on the credits on the big screen as an executive producer.

"When my wife and I read the script my daughter-in-law, Fay Ann Lee, wrote, we didn't hesitate to help her finance the project," Malcolm said of his $3 million investment in the film's budget. "It took guts to give up a career in investment banking to pursue something she believed in and besides, Fay has talent."

Some recognizable actors think so, too. Lewis Black, Christine Baranski and Margaret Cho all agreed to be in the film for scale.

Falling for Grace is a modern spin on the Cinderella story set in New York's Chinatown among minimum-wage immigrants and their Americanized children.

Fay, 39, met Matthew Jozoff, a Wall Street research analyst, when they attended Wharton School. Matthew also helped raise money for the film through his business connections.

The family has been hosting small cocktail parties at Donovan's, the Phoenix steak house they co-own, to help promote the movie.

The Jozoffs' confidence is much more than just family loyalty. Fay's movie got rave reviews at the Tribeca Film Festival and some critics are comparing it to My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Fay, also an accomplished actress, directed and stars in the film. After leaving a financially secure career on Wall Street, the whiz kid pursued her acting career, snagging a role in Miss Saigon on Broadway.

Jane recalled, "After Broadway and our grandson was born, Fay began realizing that there were very few good TV or film roles for Asian-Americans."

Fay has struggled to get a major studio to distribute the movie.

"There is an Asian-American family that is the protagonist of the film and my movie has a lot of different cultures. I think the studios are afraid."

Fay plays Grace, who longs to be a part of New York society. At a high society party, Grace is mistaken for a Hong Kong heiress and meets her Prince Charming.

Dan Harkins, owner of Harkins Theatres, hasn't seen the movie yet, but his executives have given it glowing recommendations.

"I wanted to make sure she got all the breaks she needed," Harkins said. "I wanted to see it work."

After reviewing the movie, Harkins Theatres' director of film operations Noel Kendall surprised Fay by entering her movie in the Phoenix festival.

At a later meeting with Malcolm and Fay, Dan Harkins personally gave them the exciting news that his company agreed to run it at Harkins Camelview 5.

"Our festival and our industry is all about risk takers," Harkins said. "And Fay is one of those filmmakers."

'Falling for Grace'

Phoenix Film Festival, Harkins Scottsdale 101, noon Friday; 2:30 p.m. Saturday Tickets, $10.

Harkins Camelview 5, April 18-25, showing five times daily.