| Holy Rollers | |
|---|---|
Theatrical poster |
|
| Directed by | Kevin Asch |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Antonio Macia |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | MJ Mynarski |
| Cinematography | Ben Kutchins |
| Editing by | Suzanne Spangler |
| Distributed by | First Independent Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 25, 2010 (Sundance) May 21, 2010 (United States) |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $302,886 (22 August 2010)[1] |
Holy Rollers is a 2010 independent film written by Antonio Macia, directed by Kevin Asch, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Ari Graynor, Danny Abeckaser, Q-Tip and Jason Fuchs. Holy Rollers is inspired by actual events in the late nineties when Hasidic Jews were recruited as mules to smuggle ecstasy from Europe into the United States.[2]
Contents |
Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasid from an Orthodox Brooklyn community reluctantly follows the path his family has chosen for him, awaiting a pending arranged marriage and studying to become a rabbi. A rebellious and obnoxious neighbor, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha), senses Sam’s resistance and propositions him to transport ‘medicine’ for Jackie (Danny A. Abeckaser), an Israeli dealer, and his girlfriend, Rachel (Ari Graynor). Sam quickly demonstrates his business skill to his bosses, who instantly take Sam under their wing. Now exposed to the exciting and gritty worlds of Manhattan and Amsterdam nightlife, Sam begins to spiral deeper into their detrimental lifestyle, experimenting with ecstasy and then falling for Rachel. As the business grows, Sam’s double life begins to rip his family apart and the community becomes suspicious of his illegal activities. Sam slowly comes to realize the truth behind the façade of easy money and parties. Caught between life as a smuggler and the path back to God, Sam goes on the run, forced to make a fateful decision that brings his life and the entire operation crashing down.
The film's title is a reference to the protagonist's religious character and to the slang term "rolling" describing a person high on ecstasy. Incongruously, the film's title is also a phrase most commonly applied to Pentecostal Christians, often derisively in reference to their ecstatic behavior, but is not commonly used of Jews (like the film's protagonist) or other non-Christians.
Holy Rollers was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and director Kevin Asch won the Breakthrough Director Award at the 2010 Gotham Awards.[3]
End credit song Darkness Before the Dawn written by MJ Mynarski & Paul Comaskey appeared on the Best Original Song shortlist for the 83rd Academy Award.[4]