Aug 13 2010
Dedicated treasure-hunter to appear in televised documentary
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - After an Inside Out story profiling Andrew Ostrowski and headlined “A tip of the fedora to Island’s very own Jones” appeared back in March, independent filmmaker and director Paul Vlachos of New York was so impressed by Ostrowski’s unique talents that he asked him to appear in an upcoming documentary about collectors.
Ostrowski, a 43-year-old freelance writer from West Brighton who has come to be known as “The Indiana Jones of Staten Island” because of his unique artifact-collecting hobby and his brave approach to relic-hunting, has somewhat taken on the persona of the Harrison Ford character, replete with fatigue jacket, bullwhip and signature fedora.
“This will definitely be a new adventure for me,” says Ostrowski of his first-ever moviemaking attempt. “Hunting down an ancient treasure in a dimly lit cave is one thing. Now I’ll be in front of a 1,000-watt Tinseltown spotlight,” says he, before adding, “Let’s hope I don’t fall to pieces!”
The film will be a documentary about various collectors across the country. Ostrowski, who seeks out rare antiquities and artifacts all over the world, will offer an in-depth survey of his own collection and will talk about the history, approach and charm of his artifact-collecting skill. “Each relic has its own tale to tell,” he adds. “It is the artifact that defines the collector, not the other way around.”
After he dusts off his fedora, the Indy-like solo adventurer will feature an on-screen sampling of items, dating to roughly 400 B.C. His oldest piece is a Phoenician trinket from the ancient city of Byblos, from which the word “Bible” derives.
Ostrowski notes that Mr. Ford invariably has a ravishing actress for his sidekick.
“The rumor is already out that I’m looking for a ‘leading lady’ to join me,” says Ostrowski, a bachelor. “Hey, all I can say is, if there’s a clone of the 6-foot, sleek and slender blond-bombshell actress Alison Doody hiding on Staten Island somewhere, just ring my doorbell. How can I ever refuse?”
Shooting begins this fall.
