Claim: In 1996, an American black comedy featured Steve Buscemi.

Trees Lounge is a 1996 feature film and the debut of Steve Buscemi as writer and director . It was produced by Brad Wyman and Chris Hanley and features a large ensemble cast of actors , including Buscemi , Anthony LaPaglia , Chloë Sevigny , and Samuel L. Jackson . The film 's black humor , based on examination of characters ' self-destructive behavior , has been cited as an influence by The Sopranos creator David Chase , who later hired Buscemi to direct `` Pine Barrens '' and three other episodes of the show , and to star as Tony Soprano 's cousin Tony Blundetto during the show 's fifth season .   It was filmed in Glendale , Queens ; Brooklyn ; and Valley Stream , New York .