Filmmaker Statement

In many ways, the gangster movie is an American rite of passage for every ethnicity. Our society has an undeniable affinity for stories that depict the moral conundrums that arise when characters must balance their beliefs with desires for economic prosperity. Whether it be Scarface, The Godfather, The Wire, or The Departed, the crime genre can offer a unique lens into the dynamics and struggles of different races and ethnic communities in pursuing the American dream. Our short film fulfills a childhood desire to see our Orthodox Jewish community grapple with the glamor and darkness that comes with the world of crime. While this story is a fictional one, its depiction of the identity struggles when trying to straddle religious and secular lifestyles are deeply rooted in personal experiences.