Late Bloomers

In which I talk about the unrelenting need to create art.

I saw Fresh Kills, a new film by Jennifer Esposito, last night. I follow the filmmaker on Instagram and have been a fan of hers (and her hair color) for years. I first saw her in Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam in the late 90s. On her instagram, she’s been detailing the challenges she’s had in getting the film made, picked up and distributed. She maybe seems a bit unhinged, but in a productive way, in the way that makes sense to me.

Her use of social got me amped up to see this film in a way that I haven’t been in a long time (save for Poor Things). I was motivated to see this film but not just for its story; I wanted my dollars to help this film and these types of films, continue to exist.

Jennifer Esposito wrote the film. She directed the film. She acted in the film. She produced the film. She mortgaged her house (twice!) for the film. The result is absolutely brilliant. The story is on the outside about two sisters growing up on Staten Island in a mob family, but its depth is about the lo…