Not Rated, 99 minutes
Directed by Gabriel Kahane, 2024, United States
Gabriel Kahane’s deeply personal feature debut chronicles a lawbreaking teenager (Justin Mark) forced to work at a wig shop for cancer patients owned by the warm-hearted Susan (Catherine Curtin), where he befriends a guarded woman (Holly Heiser) who irreversibly alters the course of his life. It’s a film that gives an honest peek into the often bleak (albeit exceedingly human) existence of Benji, his drug-addicted, alcoholic mother, absentee father, and the others in his orbit. Filmed entirely in Utica, N.Y., and surrounding communities, this will be the film’s regional premier. Select members of the cast and production team will be in attendance, including director Gabriel Kahane. Special thanks to our promotional partner, Film Utica, for their assistance.