Campbell Scott Will Return To His Roots For Lost & Found Film Series

RIDGEFIELD — Film lovers may know him from his roles in films such as Singles, opposite Bridget Fonda, or Dying Young with Julia Roberts, but for many people in this area actor Campbell Scott will best be remembered for his roll in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at John Jay High School, in Cross River, N.Y., back in the 70s.

On Friday, January 20, at 7:30 pm, however, Mr Scott will be returning to his old neighborhood via The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, this time to talk about a more recent work, a screening of a film he directed entitled Off the Map, which will be screened and then followed by a Q&A with Mr Scott.

Campbell Scott has been known for various things, from being the son of George C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst to being listed as one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1990” in John Willis Screen World, Vol. 42., to starring opposite Kenneth Branagh in films such as Dead Again and Hamlet (which he also co-directed with Mr Branagh).

But in this area Mr Scott was first known not only as a great actor, but a good neighbor as well.

“I went to high school with Campbell,” says Gianni Ortiz, who lived in Goldens Bridge right near Mr Scott and has since moved to Chatham. “I’m very excited to come back to Ridgefield and see him again.”  Ms Oritz, who once owned a couture dress studio in the old grainery building on Bailey Avenue (now occupied by Mulvaney Plumbing and Heating), hasn’t been back to Ridgefield in years, but says that this is a reason to travel.

“I used to meet him and his wife Ann for coffee at Gail’s Stationhouse, but haven’t spoken to them in years.  I’m very excited to see him as well as a film that he directed.  He’s a great guy,” Mr Ortiz said

Reunions aside, the film Off the Map is part of the “Lost and Found” film series, a monthly series that screens various films and then follows with a Q&A with one of the actors or director of the film. This film is an adaptation from the play by Joan Ackermann about an American family living off the grid in the northern New Mexico desert.

Starring Joan Allen, Sam Elliott and Jim True-Frost, Off the Map is a film that was critically acclaimed, but never made it big at the box office.

“That’s the mission of the Lost and Found film series,” says Artistic Chair Joe Consentino, “to bring well made films back to the big screen and let those involved with the making of them discuss the process with the audience.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students.

To find out more about the Lost and Found film series or to purchase tickets to the January screening, call the Ridgefield Playhouse box office at 203-438-5795. The playhouse is at 80 East Ridge Avenue in Ridgefield.