Ron Gilbert

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An Interview with Kevin Asch, director of Holy Rollers

As we sat at a table in front of Bob Dylan’s 18 Street Caféin Santa Monica, Californiacoffee wasn’t necessary because I got my caffeine rush from Kevin. His creativeenergy in discussing the making of his film and the collaboration with the actorsand writer reminded me of directors like Sydney Lumet, Martin Scorsese and mybuddy Mark Rydell. How important the rehearsal and development of the scriptwith the actors and write, Antonio Macia and the director who is right there inthe mix exploring all the aspects. Wow! Then Kevin told me about films that hedrew on like Witness, ET .Close Encounters of the 3rd kind and somany more. The journey of the main character, Sam (Jesse Eisenberg) who is aHasidic Jew still has all the feelings and emotions of a young man who is notjust what his religion preaches and so he jumps into the world of capitalism towin over the woman he wishes to marry and helps his family enjoy the riches ofhis new life but there are consequences he must deal with. Holy Rollers film isbased on a story( which was proposed to him by Danny A. Abeckaser(Leon) aboutHasidic Jews who were drug mules transporting them to the USA(Brooklyn,NY) inthe late 90’s He is drawn into world by his good  neighbor Justin  Bartha(((Yosef) and introduced to Leoand  his very sexy girlfriend Rachel(AriGraynor). Using Q-T (Ephraim) as an associate druggie, really sucks you in, weare drawn into Sam’s difficulty dealing with his Hasidic life which totallyconflict in a very personal way in his new world and is it possible for Sam toredeem himself.

.. Sam in now enthralled in the club life of sex, drugs androck and roll but inside he is still this young man caught in this innerstruggle. The film becomes a Hasidic version of Mean Streets and the cameratechniques with cinematographer, Ben Kuchins are very similar to those films wesaw in the 70’s .You are looking on the inside of how this life is happening onthe screen. Kevin sets a mood with the choice of music and he worked veryclosely with composer M.J.Mynarski. He even wanted to include memorable musicfor Sam’s character like the theme song in Godfather 1.So much for a filmbudget for $1 million dollars competing with today’s big budget $200 million dollarfilms.

This film is opening now in New Yorkand California and nationwidenext month

Next on the slate for Kevin and his team are “KingsHighway” and the “Great Neck”

I will finish this with the words of Kevin’s grandfather”Talent is useless unless it is utilized.