Holy Rollers June 11, 2010

HOLY ROLLERS
Based on true events, the story of a Hasidic Jew drawn into international drug smuggling
Opens Friday, June 11, 2010 at a Landmark Theatre in Bay Area
Director Kevin Asch in person at select weekend showings!

Landmark’s Lumiere Theatre, 1572 California Street, San Francisco, (415)267-4893
Tickets are $10.50 for general admission and $8.00 for seniors, students, and children
Showtimes (valid 6/11-6/17): Fri-Sat at 2:00, 4:30, 7:00 & 9:30 and Sun at 2:00, 4:30, & 7:00, and Mon-Thu at 4:30, 7:00
Director Kevin Asch in person Fri 6/11 at 7:00 and 9:30 shows

Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas 2230 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley (510) 464-5980
Tickets are $10.00 for general admission and $8.00 for seniors, students and children
Showtimes (valid 6/11-6/17): 2:30, 5:00, 7:20 & 9:30
Director Kevin Asch in person Sat 6/12 at 5:00 show
Advanced tickets will be available at: http://tickets.landmarktheatres.com and theatre box office by June 8, 2010.

http://holyrollersfilm.com/

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. Sam Gold (Jesse Eisenberg, Zombieland and The Squid and the Whale), 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 charming 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 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. Directed by Kevin Asch.

“A moving drama about a Hasidic ecstasy smuggler that’s based on true events” -- Ellen Carpenter, Nylon Magazine

“Leaving aside the intrinsic interest of the remarkable story and the gritty realism, the real reason to see this movie is its intelligent screenplay, solid performances and masterful direction.” – Louis Proyect, Louis Proyect: The Unrepentant Marxist Blog

The film’s running time is 89 minutes; the film is rated R.