Piranhas in the Scampi is a story that began in Sheldon Silverstein's teenage years, when his love of Italy took root after seeing the movie Sunflower, starring Sophia Loren. It culminated years later in Tuscany, when he fell head over heels in love with Elenora Monini, a modern version of Sophia. Drawn by the fantasy of being a gentleman farmer living close to Elenora, he restored a 17th century Tuscan farmhouse, an experience that left him crazed, dazed, and certifiable.
Sheldon Silverstein is an internationally accomplished producer and writer. He worked in Rome with such notable directors as Sergio Leone and Federico Fellini, and was greatly influenced by these icons. In Paris, he worked with Claude Lelouche on The Édith Piaf Story, in production and also as an actor. While a student at UCLA, he gained a cult following for his "Midnight Movies," a series of surrealistic LA shorts. His film credits include The Killing Jar with Paul Winfield, Pumpkin Karver, Trapped, Eve, The Erotic Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Angel & the Devil, Death Mask, Desire, Posse, and others. In pre-production are his films When Women Ruled the Earth, Miracle in South Central, and Zonkey Conspiracy. Sheldon resided in Italy for 20 years, where he purchased and restored a 17th century Tuscan farmhouse to its original state. Sheldon says that was his toughest production to date.