Holy Rollers
Encyclopedia
Holy Rollers is a 2010 independent film
written by Antonio Macia, directed by Kevin Asch
, and starring Jesse Eisenberg
, Justin Bartha
, Ari Graynor
, Danny Abeckaser, Q-Tip
and Jason Fuchs
. 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.
), 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 rebellious and obnoxious neighbor, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha
), senses Sam’s resistance and propositions him to transport ‘medicine’ for Jackie (Danny A. Abeckaser), an Israel
i 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 truth behind the façade of 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 fateful decision that brings his life and the entire operation crashing down.
to Pentecostal
Christian
s, often derisively in reference to their ecstatic behavior, but is not commonly used of Jews (like the film's protagonist) or other non-Christians.
and director Kevin Asch
won the Breakthrough Director Award at the 2010 Gotham Awards
.
End credit song Darkness Before the Dawn written by MJ Mynarski & Paul Comaskey appeared on the Best Original Song shortlist for the 83rd Academy Award.
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
written by Antonio Macia, directed by Kevin Asch
Kevin Asch
Kevin Asch is an American film director and film producer. He began making films as a kid growing up in Great Neck, New York. Asch is Jewish...
, and starring Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Adam Eisenberg is an American actor. He made his screen debut with the comedy-drama television series Get Real from 1999 to 2000...
, Justin Bartha
Justin Bartha
Justin Lee Bartha is an American actor, known for his co-starring role as Riley Poole in the National Treasure films and as Doug Billings in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.-Early life:...
, Ari Graynor
Ari Graynor
Ariel Geltman Graynor, better known as Ari Graynor, is an American actress.-Life and career:Graynor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in a Jewish family and attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a private school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Trinity College, in Hartford,...
, Danny Abeckaser, Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
and Jason Fuchs
Jason Fuchs
- Early life :Fuchs was born in New York City, to a family of Hasidic Jewish background on his father's side. He went on to enroll and graduate from Columbia University.- Career :...
. Holy Rollers is inspired by actual events in the late nineties when Hasidic Jews
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
were recruited as mules
Mule (smuggling)
A mule or courier is someone who smuggles something with him or her across a national border, including bringing in to and out of an international plane, especially a small amount, transported for a smuggling organization. The organizers employ mules to reduce the risk of getting caught...
to smuggle ecstasy from Europe into the United States.
Plot
Sam Gold (Jesse EisenbergJesse Eisenberg
Jesse Adam Eisenberg is an American actor. He made his screen debut with the comedy-drama television series Get Real from 1999 to 2000...
), 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
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
. A rebellious and obnoxious neighbor, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha
Justin Bartha
Justin Lee Bartha is an American actor, known for his co-starring role as Riley Poole in the National Treasure films and as Doug Billings in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.-Early life:...
), senses Sam’s resistance and propositions him to transport ‘medicine’ for Jackie (Danny A. Abeckaser), an Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i dealer, and his girlfriend, Rachel (Ari Graynor
Ari Graynor
Ariel Geltman Graynor, better known as Ari Graynor, is an American actress.-Life and career:Graynor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in a Jewish family and attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a private school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Trinity College, in Hartford,...
). 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 truth behind the façade of 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 fateful decision that brings his life and the entire operation crashing down.
Title
The film's title is a reference to the protagonist's religious character and to the slang term "rolling" describing a person high on ecstasy. Incongruously, the film's title is also a phrase most commonly appliedHoly Roller
Holy Roller is a term in American English used to describe Pentecostal Christian churchgoers. The term is commonly used derisively, as if to describe people literally rolling on the floor or speaking in tongues in an uncontrolled manner....
to Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
s, often derisively in reference to their ecstatic behavior, but is not commonly used of Jews (like the film's protagonist) or other non-Christians.
Awards and Recognition
Holy Rollers was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and director Kevin Asch
Kevin Asch
Kevin Asch is an American film director and film producer. He began making films as a kid growing up in Great Neck, New York. Asch is Jewish...
won the Breakthrough Director Award at the 2010 Gotham Awards
Gotham Awards
The Gotham Awards is an annual ceremony of awards presented to the makers of independent films which takes place in New York City...
.
End credit song Darkness Before the Dawn written by MJ Mynarski & Paul Comaskey appeared on the Best Original Song shortlist for the 83rd Academy Award.
Cast
- Jesse EisenbergJesse EisenbergJesse Adam Eisenberg is an American actor. He made his screen debut with the comedy-drama television series Get Real from 1999 to 2000...
as Sam Gold - Justin BarthaJustin BarthaJustin Lee Bartha is an American actor, known for his co-starring role as Riley Poole in the National Treasure films and as Doug Billings in The Hangover and The Hangover Part II.-Early life:...
as Yosef Zimmerman - Ari GraynorAri GraynorAriel Geltman Graynor, better known as Ari Graynor, is an American actress.-Life and career:Graynor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She was raised in a Jewish family and attended Buckingham Browne & Nichols, a private school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Trinity College, in Hartford,...
as Rachel - Danny Abeckaser as Jackie Solomon
- Q-TipQ-Tip (rapper)Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
as Ephraim - Jason FuchsJason Fuchs- Early life :Fuchs was born in New York City, to a family of Hasidic Jewish background on his father's side. He went on to enroll and graduate from Columbia University.- Career :...
as Leon Zimmerman - Mark Ivanir as Mendel Gold
- Hallie Kate EisenbergHallie Kate Eisenberg-Early life:Eisenberg was born in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, the daughter of Amy, who worked as a clown at children's parties, and Barry Eisenberg, who ran a hospital and later became a college professor. She has two siblings, actor Jesse Eisenberg, star of The Social Network, and Kerri...
as Ruth Gold - Elizabeth MarvelElizabeth Marvel-Biography:Marvel was born in Mohnton, Pennsylvania. She studied at Juilliard. She has several credits on Broadway and in film and television. Marvel was a series regular on The District, and has appeared in two films by the Coen Brothers: True Grit as the adult Mattie Ross, and Burn After Reading...
as Elka Gold