Fetish

LIz Smith: "I COULD lie and say this is a vitamin pill, but actually it’s a Valium. And don’t be alarmed I’m taking it with alcohol; it just makes me more fabulous!" That’s Joan Collins as a troubled movie queen, in the frightening and funny "Fetish," a 25-minute short, directed by Matthew Pellowski, written by and co-starring Charles Casillo. (Mr. Casillo – author of a number of nifty books and the screenwriter and star of last year’s indie "Let Me Die Quietly" – plays a TV talk show host, who evinces an ominous interest in Collins. He is unctuous and bone chilling.) The little movie was screened earlier this week at the New Stages Theater on West 49th Street. It attracted quite a crowd of Casillo, Pellowski and, of course, Joan Collins fans. This effort has already won Joan a nomination as Best Actress at the New York City International Film Festival. The event happens tonight, but Joan is in Europe and cannot attend. She did, however, tape an acceptance speech, just in case. I hear it is quite touching.