Christopher Meloni stars in his daughter Sophia Meloni’s directorial debut short film “Chop Cheese,” a coming-of-age story set in New York’s bodega culture that premiered at the Palm Springs International ShortFest this month.
Sophia Meloni wrote and directed the film, which follows a 16-year-old boy navigating the fragile social politics of adolescence as he pursues “boss” status from the grill master at a local bodega, only to discover that respect comes at a cost. The project grew from a short story Sophia wrote in college while observing her younger brother Dante’s teenage years in New York City.
“Growing up here, I learned the moments that shape you most often happen in the margins: in waiting, in loitering, in the small rituals that repeat until they quietly become your life,” Sophia Meloni said in a director’s statement, according to Deadline. “The bodega felt like the perfect place to capture that.”
The film is a true family affair. Christopher Meloni takes a supporting role as “Other Bodega Guy” while also receiving a production assistant credit and performing grip duties. Michael Gandolfini appears alongside teenage leads Luca Rickman, Anki Alvarez Marquez, and Dylan Frankel. Christopher Meloni’s wife of 30 years, Sherman Williams, a production designer and artist, is credited as “Crafty,” according to Deadline.
Sophia Meloni attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut and drew on her upbringing around sets and creative professionals for the film’s sensibility. Cousin Lisa Rudin produced the project, while another cousin, Sasha Waters, served as animal wrangler. Producer Lisa Rudin praised Sophia’s vision, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “Sophia Meloni is the kind of filmmaker you hope to meet early in their career. Her writing is thoughtful and deeply felt, and she brought that same care and determination to every aspect of the production.”
Christopher Meloni reflected on working with his daughter, saying, according to Deadline: “My father was a doctor and broke the cardinal rule of treating his family, but within a scope that he knew he was proficient at. So, I guess the Melonis don’t particularly subscribe to the unwritten rule. Having said that, it was a beautiful honor to watch and be a part of a young artist that I happen to love deeply and admire greatly, take her first creative steps.”
The film marks the beginning of a planned series of shorts by Sophia Meloni exploring adolescence through seemingly mundane moments. “It’s the seemingly trivial moments that are truer of the teenage experience,” she told Deadline. “Ultimately, being sixteen is about everything happening all at once and nothing really happening at all.”
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter — Christopher Meloni’s role in the film, Sophia Meloni’s directorial debut, cast and crew details, and director’s statement
- Deadline — Exclusive clip reveal, full cast list, family production details, and quotes from Christopher Meloni and Sophia Meloni
- Variety — Palm Springs International ShortFest premiere announcement
- TODAY.com — Sophia Meloni’s education at Wesleyan University
