Local man's 1944 meal with enemies will become a movie

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Los Angeles-based Fast Carrier Pictures will produce a movie based on the true 1944 wartime story about enemies sharing a peaceful Christmas Eve dinner held by Elisabeth Vincken and her 12-year-old son, Fritz, in the Ardennes Forest near the German-Belgian border.

Fritz Vincken, a longtime Honolulu resident and former owner of Fritz's European Bakery in Kapalama, died Dec. 8 in Salem, Ore. He was 69.

His mother and the seven solders, three Americans and four Germans, who agreed to put their weapons down on what has been called "the night

God came to dinner" also have died.

Filming for the movie, tentatively titled "A Silent Night," will begin this year. Producers are aiming for a 2003 release date, said Steven Jay Rubin, who is co-producing the film with Rory Aylward. Roger Aylward, Rory's brother, wrote the screenplay.

"It's a great story, especially because of the events of 9/11," Rubin said. "We're developing the movie based on Fritz's experience, and obtained the rights in 1999."

Fast Carrier Pictures is connected to "Showtime," and the cable network will be airing the company's latest production, "Bleacher Bums," this spring, Rubin said.

E-mail Rubin at steve.rubin@showtime.net for more information about "A Silent Night."