A local Malibu man is celebrating some success and giving back at the same time by treating some young adults to the new blockbuster movie “Logan.”
Paul Wintner, who works in the entertainment industry, wanted to share his success by treating some young adults facing mental health and addiction issues to a carefree afternoon at the movies. He treated 35 young people and four counselors to watch the latest “X-Men” and “Wolverine” franchise installment at the Regal Malibu Twin on Saturday.
“I represent voice-over actors that do all the movie film trailers and commercials, and they also do promos for all the big TV shows,” Wintner explained to The Malibu Times. “I recently took on a new voice about two months ago, Matthew Rhode, and he’s always wanted to do movie trailers. A month after representing him, we sent his demo over to Fox and they loved what they heard.
“They tried him out on ‘Logan,’ Wintner continued. “The radio spot was the first thing they tried him out on. They liked his voice and gave us the campaign for this new voice to be the voice for all the ‘Logan’ TV commercials and radio spots that you’re now hearing. So, we are extremely grateful that we got the campaign. So, I told my sister that I wanted to do something nice to give back. I just felt like I wanted to do something good. So here we are. We decided to treat a bunch of fans to the film.”
The filming was a family affair, with Wintner’s sister also attending the special screening.
“They’re young adults dealing with addiction issues to mental health issues,” Wintner’s sister Tova Fagan said. “My brother wanted to do something for the community today. They’re local and that spoke to us.”
The kids and young adults who came out to the movie Saturday all seemed excited to be there, especially when Wintner pulled out a prop used in the film — the metal claws that Hugh Jackman, who plays the tortured Wolverine — a.k.a. Logan — uses. This is Jackman’s ninth time playing the Wolverine part in 17 years, and most of the moviegoers Saturday were quite familiar with the films.
Recovery counselor Dean Kiafar works helping to guide young people through recovery from mental disorders and drug dependency. His clinic specializes in dual diagnosis to combat drug addiction. Kiafar explained why getting out and going to a movie is so special for those in recovery.
“Coming here to the movie really allows them to take a break from the therapy, because each day is really packed with all these activities that will assist them in their sobriety — in sustaining sobriety, that is,” Kiafar said. “So, we’re really grateful. It’s a great opportunity for them to come out and distract themselves from the stress of everything they’re dealing with.”
Wintner, whose mother attended the screening as well as his sister, said he was so appreciative of his good fortune, he felt he had to give back.
“My main reason for treating these kids today — If I can find a way to give, somehow I’m always up for it,” he explained. “I was so grateful to land the ‘Logan’ campaign. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I just wanted to treat a bunch of people to see this movie that I’ve been very excited about.
“I’ve been waiting for the movie for a year-and-a-half,” he continued. “I knew when they started production on it. And booking this new guy has created a buzz around town with people saying, ‘Who’s this new guy that’s on ‘Logan?’ I wanted to share and what better way than at the movies? A celebration of success. That’s why we go to the movies.”
