It's always game day at the South Beach Bocce Ball courts on Staten island, where some of the players come twice a day, every day of the week.

"I'm 82. It keeps me going I love it," explained Anthony Pucciarelli.

What You Need To Know

  • Many Staten Island Bocce Club members play every day of the week, sometimes twice a day

  • Filmmaker Julio Vincent Gambuto, who grew on Staten Island, captures that love of the game in his new film 'Team Marco'

  • In the film, a young boy who loves video games is introduced to the game of bocce ball by his Italian grandfather

  • To add authenticity to the film, it was shot entirely on Staten Island and some of the Staten Island Bocce Club members are in the film as players

Mark Defazio says he's retired like everyone else playing.

"I'm the youngest guy here. I'm in my 50s," Defazio said.

But on this day, Julio Vincent Gambuto, age 42, is also playing. Gambuto grew up on Staten Island and spent a lot of time at the city’s Bocce Ball courts, first researching and then shooting a movie, "Team Marco." 

"It's a story of a young boy who is obsessed with technology, his iPad, video games, and his Italian grandfather moved into the house and is sick and tired of the kid being on tech all the time so he drags him to the park and teaches him how to play bocce ball," said Gambuto.

The film was inspired by Gambuto's 10-year-old nephew Marco, who was glued to his video games, and his 78-year-old grandfather, and Marco, who plays Bocce Ball.

 

 

 

Actor Owen Vaccaro plays Marco. Anthony Patellis plays his recently widowed "Nonno."

Some Staten Island Bocce Ball club players, including Joe Papandrea, are also in the movie.

"I'm going through the same thing the character Nonno is going through. I lost my wife also and this game has saved my life. I've been playing bocce for the last 37 years. It's the comaraderie," said Panadrea, his voice cracking with emotion.

There's certainly a lot of friendship here, but it doesn't mean the players aren't very competitive.

"I think everyone wants to win. Sometimes we will measure a ball six times to see who gets the point," said Steve Rockman.

"It's something senior citizens can play, that's what we love about it," added Chip Nigro.

Like in the film, the bocce players try to get youngsters interested by holding tournaments. They hope this film not only touches people’s hearts, but also gives a boost to the game they love.

"Anyone of any age can do it. It's relatively inexpensive. There's no contact, no one can get hurt," said Guy Simonetti in between throws.

"Bocce is the most popular sport you've never heard of, there are courts throughout all of New York City," said Gambuto in the hopes that people young and old will seek them out and play.

In the film Marco throws the ball and it hits the back wall, so the ball is dead. "I’m out? Don’t I get another life?" he asks. "No, you only have one life," retorts Nonno.

That’s true in bocce ball and in real life.

"Team Marco" is currently streaming on digital movie platforms and on demand on spectrum and other cable outlets.