Masochist indie distributor First Independent Pictures will once again have their work cut out for them, as they board a coming-of-age tale about an Hasidic Jew who turns into a drug mule. I use the term masochist, because last year Gary Rubin’s FIP took on the difficult to market Big Fan (the story of an obsessed stay-at-home NY Giants fan) and Gigantic (a bed and mattress salesmen in Paul Dano who desperately wants to adopt a child). Holy Rollers, a Sundance Dramatic Comp selection is going to be pegged with a Summer release — look for it to make several stops in U.S indie and Jewish film festivals beforehand. We have a lengthy interview with helmer Kevin Asch discussing the kind of work that went into the making of the film — you can read that here. and below you have a thick film synopsis.
Inspired by actual events in the late nineties, when Hasidic Jews were recruited as mules to smuggle ecstasy from Europe into the United States. Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg), a young Hasid from an Orthodox Brooklyn community, is following the path his family has chosen with a pending arranged marriage and becoming a Rabbi. A charming neighbor, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha), senses Sam’s resistance and propositions him to transport ‘medicine’ for Jackie (Danny Abeckaser), an Israeli dealer, and Rachel (Ari Graynor), Jackie’s girlfriend. Sam quickly demonstrates his business acumen to his bosses, who instantly take Sam under their wing, and into the exciting worlds of Manhattan and Amsterdam nightlife. Sam falls deeper into their cavalier lifestyle, even experimenting with ecstasy, and falling for Rachel. As the business grows, Sam’s double life begins to rip his family apart, while the community starts to suspect his illegal activities. Sam slowly comes to realize the façade behind the 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 fatal decision that could bring the entire operation crashing down.
