JEWFACE invites us to laugh, to cry, and to see ourselves reflected in a time where antisemitism is skyrocketing. JEWFACE is a refusal to let our identity be flattened, weaponized, or erased.

WHAT IS JEWFACE?

JEWFACE" is a derogatory term for inauthentic, stereotypical portrayals of Jewish people in media, often involving heavy makeup (like prosthetic noses) and exaggerated accents, and also refers to non-Jewish actors playing Jewish roles, sparking debates about representation in entertainment.

ABOUT THE STORY

If you could undo the one thing about yourself you feel is preventing you from living your most authentic, fully expressed, most abundant life, would you?

JEWFACE was inspired by writer/director Melissa's personal story, having had a rhinoplasty at 16. Whether to conform to a more accepted standard of beauty, as a means of assimilation, or to correct a deviated septum, "nose-jobs," especially for young women, were a common occurrence in Melissa's community, and in many Jewish communities across America.

JEWFACE follows Miri Cantor, who, approaching 40, struggles to understand why her life is not working out - her career is at a stand-still, her finances are dwindling, and her romantic life - non-existent. It's almost as if her identity as a Jewish, bisexual woman has been erased. Oy.

Miri feels invisible. She feels misunderstood. She believes the only logical explanation for her struggles lies in the rhinoplasty she underwent at 16—a surgery that effectively erased her identity. The only way forward, she thinks, is to re-break her own nose and thus, reset her life.

Will Miri triumph and find the "JewJew" she so desires?

WHY JEWFACE / WHY NOW?

At a time where anti-semitism is at an all time high, JEWFACE invites us to question our biases, and to consider the humanity of a Jewish woman grappling with her identity.

JEWFACE feels provocative, urgent, and necessary.

To quote one of our brilliant producers, Jonas Cohen, "What is a Jewish face? Who gets to decide? Why do Jews have to be palatable to be accepted? Why does everyone feel entitled to judge the Jewish face they see?”

JEWFACE is critical. Though Jews have been steadily represented on screen, JEWISH WOMEN have been portrayed in overwhelmingly negative and stereotypical lights. Queerness has become polarized, leaving individuals who don't ascribe to political extremes alone in the dark. Seeing ourselves reflected has profound effect on how we carry ourselves in the world, and how we perceive and interact with each other.

JEWFACE is funny. Though times are dark, as are aspects of this film, it is a comedy! We need humor to survive, especially in challenging times, and though Jews are NOT a monolith, we have perfected the art of self-deprecating humor. We invite you to laugh with Miri (cringing is ok too!) as she finds herself pushes boundaries in pursuit of her deepest desires.

JEWFACE is nostalgic. Get ready for a Bat Mitzvah party set in 1998, complete with candle-lighting, “snowball,” Steven Spielberg (you read that right!), and the hora. You are welcome.

JEWFACE is human. Though culturally specific, we can all identify with Miri's story. It's time for us to see ourselves in each other's struggles, heartbreaks, joys, and triumphs.

TEAM

MELISSA CENTER (Writer/Director/"Miri"/EP)
BOAZ FREUND (Director of Photography)
JON ECKHAUS (Editor)
JORDAN JANOTA (Production Designer)
JASON GOODWIN (Costume Designer)
CAROLINA PIZARRO HERNANDEZ (H/MU)
RINAT TREGERMAN (Composer)

CAST

MELISSA CENTER (MIRI)

Select credits: The Hunting Party (NBC), Chicago Fire (NBC), FBI (CBS), This is Us (NBC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC).

She is the Executive Producer of Liner Notes, a feature film in development with a proof-of-concept currently in post-production. She is the producer, co-writer and star of feature film, All I Want (Prime, AppleTv, Vudu, TubiTV, itunes) and the co-director, writer and star of award-winning viral short film R.V, a narrative that anticipated the overturn of Roe vs Wade. Her short film His Name is Niv, which she wrote and directed, is inspired by her own experience with sexual assault.

Her solo show Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal, that she wrote, starred in and produced, debuted The Pico, LA followed by Edinburgh Fringe Digital and Caveat, NYC, with global coverage in Ms. Magazine & Psychology Today.

NATALIE GOLD (JESSICA GOLDFARB)

Natalie Gold is an American actress best known for her roles as Rava Roy on HBO's Succession and Julia Harwell on AMC's Rubicon. With a strong background in theater, she has appeared in New York stage productions and numerous film/TV roles, including The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Birdman, and The Leftovers.

STEPHEN SINGER (MIRI'S DAD)

Stephen’s film work include Don Juan DeMarco, (where he had the privilege of working with Marlon Brando,) the indie hit Obvious Child, All Good Things, directed by Andrew Jarecki, M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, Todd Salondz’ Palindromes, It Runs in the Family (opposite Kirk Douglas,) The Prince and Me, Perfect Murder, Town and Country, A Price Above Rubies, Commandments, Wrestling With Alligators, Abel Ferarra’s cult hit MS .45, Liebesleben and Stefan Zweig: A Farewell to Europe directed by Maria Schrader, The Kitchen (opposite Melissa McCarthy,) Bad Shabbos, and most recently Eleanor The Great, directed by Scarlett Johansson.

DEBORAH OFFNER (MIRI'S MOM)

Film: Untitled Chris Rock Movie, Home, Black Swan, Cruel Intentions, Unlawful Entry, The Naked Brother's Band, True Believer, Crossing Delancey, Streetwalkin'. TV: "Orange Is the New Black," "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," "Medium," "Six Feet Under," "ER," "The Guardian," "Party of Five," "Civil Wars," "thirtysomething," "Mourning Becomes Electra" (PBS).

JAKE STEINBERG (HOT JEWISH GUY)

Jake is a recent graduate of Columbia University's MFA program. He will next be seen in a recurring role on Michelle and Robert King's new legal drama Cupertino (CBS) starring Mike Colter, Ella Stiller, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Busy Phillips.

SHA JAMES BATZBY (DJ)

Sha is a New York actor, comedian and musician who's 90s tribute band Stiffler's Mom tours nationwide.

PRODUCING TEAM:

PAULA ROSSMAN (Executive Producer)
ANNA ALTMAN (Producer)
AMY DEPAOLA (Producer / Line Producer)
BROOKE TRANTOR (Producer / UPM)
VANESSA VEGA-RIVERA (Co-Producer)
CARIS VUJCEC (Consulting Producer)
MARA JILL HERMAN (Consulting Producer)

ASSOCIATE PRODUCING TEAM:

JONAS COHEN, LINDSAY FABES, LUKE HICHMAN, CARI HAIM, JANE ELIAS
HARRY KAUFMAN, ALI COHEN, ANTOINETTE LAYT,
BEN SAMSON, MELINA M. GREENE

THE $$$

We successfully raised production funds & are now moving into POST PRODUCTION.
Here's where your money will go:

1. "Pick up" day

The New York City weather gods rained upon us! As such, we need to make up for lost time. Your funds will ensure we can shoot the scenes we missed and finish our film.

2. Editor
3. Post Sound
4. Colorist
5. Composer
6. Special FX
7. DCP creation
8. Festival submission fees
9. Poster design

TOTAL AMOUNT NEEDED: $10,000

WHY CONTRIBUTE

Hollywood production is at an all time low. Grants are harder and harder to come by. Many cultural institutions are disregarding Jewish storytellers because it is deemed politically "risky" and all around unpopular. It takes courageous individuals to say YES to original human stories - especially Jewish stories in this current climate.

This is also a climate in which queer artists feel increasingly scared and vulnerable. Jewface is a story that features queerness not as the "main event," but as an organic part of the main character's experience.

Your contribution shows us we, as human beings, matter.

Lastly, AI is coming for us all. Though technological advancement is inevitable, human beings need jobs! Your contribution ensures a team of talented, passionate, hard-working artists and craftspeople will get paid for their services.

THANK YOU!