The law that legalized cannabis in New York was unique—the State made a promise to guarantee a small equity class a head start in the market, keep big corporate interests out for the first three years.

But the legal rollout did not go as planned—hamstrung with arbitrary regulations and rules, illegal weed flowing into the state, lawsuits, and chaos—the early stakeholders were in danger of losing everything, all while big business bided their time.

The film is an up close and personal look into the cultivators, the processors and retailers who risked everything in the tumultuous rollout of legal cannabis in New York State.

When released from prison in New York, the State gives parolees $40 in “gate money” and a bus ticket home. Women who have children while incarcerated face an uphill battle to find housing, jobs and food security for their children when they get out. “My Mother’s House,” a former convent, provides a nurturing home for newly released women and their children until they can get on their feet. The film follows 4 women and their children and bears witness to the struggles they face. (clip available upon request)

In 2017 the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, NY turned 100. Over the course of that year, portrait painter Brenda Zlamany painted 100 of the residents. 100 surprising, unique and inspiring stories emerged...

https://www.itinerantportraitist.com/about

https://www.facebook.com/The-Itinerant-Portraitist-documentary-2375631755801907

Made in New York within months of 911; WAR OF THE WORLDS 2001 is A Collaborative Experimental Film bringing together 27 New York based filmmakers – from experimental, documentary, and fiction film backgrounds – in a contemporary exploration of New York in the aftermath of 911 and in the midst of the U.S. led ‘War on Terror’. (clip available upon request)

An Ocularis Production
In collaboration with a host of NYC based filmmakers

The contributing filmmakers on the project (in order of shooting) are Andy Graydon, Sarah Reynolds, Gegory Baird, Emily Fader, Pedro Mallol, Karyn Riegel, Matt Thompson, Carrie Dashow, Greg Pak, Pegi Vail, Melvin Estrella, Anne Alvergue, Laure Sullivan, Paul Wilson, Bradley Eros, Orpheus Mc Carthy (aka Dónal Ó’Céilleachair), Andrew Lampert, Moira Tierney, Lauren Cornell, Adam Burns, Ian Caskey, Adrian Rieder, Merri Cyr, Jonathan Lees, Marianna Ellenberg, Reynold Reynolds and Carlton Bright.

International award winning music video featuring original lyrics and music by the powerful young talent, Gigi McCourt.

"Take it Back" when you need it bad, just take it back. End something if you really need- give the love back.