The new year parade
(DVD)

Originally produced as a motion picture in 2008.

Bonus features: Making of The new year parade; history of the South Philadelphia String Band; deleted scenes, interviews with children of divorce; mummer oral histories; essay by critic Stephen Rea.

Cinematographer and editor, Tom Quinn ; sets/sound, Mark Doyle.

Andrew Conway, Greg Lyons, MaryAnn McDonald, Jennifer Welsh, Paul Blackway, Irene Longshore, Tobias Segal, Nick Voight, South Philadelphia String Band.

Story of a South Philadelphia Irish American family in crisis, set over the course of a year against the background of a string band preparing for the annual New Year's parade. When Mike McMonogul (Conway) and his wife of 36 years Lisa (McDonald) separate, their children suffer quietly. Sixteen-year-old Kat (Welsh) believes they will reconcile and keeps the situation secret. As months pass and tensions mount, she becomes isolated between family and friends with no one to confide in. Meanwhile, son Jack (Lyons) is forced to mediate between parents and carry the family finances. While his mom avoids confrontation, their dad works to lead his South Philadelphia String Band to victory in Philadelphia's annual Mummer's Parade. A band member himself, Jack questions his loyalty as his parents' actions wear on his own relationships. The new year parade is a unique discovery film, mixing actors and non-actors, documentary footage and fiction, to take a closer look at how divorce can effect young people.

DVD, NTSC; widescreen presentation.