Junior is Eddie Belasco, a 75-year old San Francisco native who epitomizes the old school Italian. Born in the Italian neighborhood of North Beach, Eddie's childhood was straight out of a Martin Scorsese film. Kids hanging on the corner, up to no good, that was the life. And like most young Italian-American boys he had the utmost respect for his "Ma," Josephine Belasco, a hard-working accountant for Transamerica who knew how to run a house and keep little "Junior" in check. Still, sixty-five years later, things haven't changed.

Eventually it was showbiz that would spark Eddie's interest. He wanted to follow the footsteps of his late Uncle Dominique, the former lead singer of The Vagabonds. In his 20's, Eddie began touring with his own group The Belasco Four, a musical-comedy troupe that traveled worldwide entertaining audiences with their sweet harmonies and corny jokes.

After a long run of being on the road, managing various acts, including the first and only topless band The Ladybirds, Eddie decided to take a stab at acting. His career was short-lived, (he attributes his failures to the three nose jobs he had over a 10-year period), but the idea of creating a platform for other actors had its potential. In 1981, Eddie created the Belasco Theater Company, a non-profit musical theater group for kids. Eddie has produced and directed every Broadway musical under the sun, from A Chorus Line to The Wiz. When asked how he was going to edit A Chorus Line's hit number "Tits and Ass," for kids he replied with confidence, "they'll say this and that," while pointing to the obvious body parts, "what's the difference!!" Clearly the shows were directed on his terms and audiences stood back in awe as he unearthed some of the Bay Area's youngest talents, with a high production value to match. For 25 years Eddie was on top of the world.

Junior documents the last two seasons of Eddie's theater company. He has decided to call it quits. Declining ticket sales and enrollment has left Eddie with no other choice. His 65-year battle with diabetes is also beginning to take its toll. The glaucoma has made it impossible for him to see. A director without vision, it seems unfair.

Now with his kids all grown up and three failed marriages behind him, Eddie is left to face his future as a retiree. We watch as he stumbles through this process, but not alone. His 99-year old mother Josie is there to remind him of the beauty of life. Simple and sweet. Filled with good food and rich memories. Junior explores the one thing we as a society fear most...growing old. Junior and his Ma remind us that beneath the illnesses and the loss, lies something deeper. A return to a child-like simplicity and a newfound sense of self that can only come with age.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JUNIOR CONTACT
JENNA ROSHER AT jenna@altheafilms.com