Not Fade Away

Thursday, January 10, 2019

This feature filmmaking debut by David Chase, creator of The Sopranos, returns him to his old stomping grounds, but in a different time period, and with a different energy and focus. It’s an emotional autobiography drawing loosely on Chase’s experiences, starring John Magaro as Douglas Damiano, an Italian American New Jersey teenager whose rebellious attitude and obsession with rock-and-roll, art cinema, and the counterculture put him at odds with his working-class, conservative father (James Gandolfini, in one of his final performances). Featuring daringly extended musical numbers in which actor-musicians perform their own music live for the cameras, the movie mixes documentary grit and American New Wave poetry. And it’s filled with homages to music, television and movies that inspired The Sopranos, including a scene where Doug and his girlfriend Grace Dietz (Bella Heathcote) go to see Blow-Up (1966), a film whose hushed, mysterious style had a profound influence on Chase that’s apparent in the cryptic, unsettling final scenes of both The Sopranos and Not Fade Away.


In attendance: Writer-director David Chase; actor John Magaro; executive producer and music supervisor Steven Van Zandt.


One lucky ticket holder for this event will receive a NOT FADE AWAY poster signed by the cast and crew, including James Gandolfini. 


Part of “The Sopranos Film Festival,” presented by Split Screens. To buy a 10-film pass, click here.
Watch all episodes of The Sopranos® Series on HBO Go/HBO NOW.


  • Country USA
  • Year 2012
  • Running Time 112 minutes
  • Director David Chase
  • Writer David Chase
  • Editor Sidney Wolinsky
  • Cinematographer Eigil Bryld
  • Cast James Gandolfini, John Magaro, Jack Huston, Will Brill, Brahm Vaccarella, Bella Heathcote, Molly Price

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.