View Cart Home
About Us What's New Free Catalog To Order
Films By Subject Films by Title Filmmakers

The Guarantee

by Jesse E Epstein

"As a professional in the field of addictions, this film was layered with meaning for me. What it means to maintain a sense of cultural and ethnic identity in the face of pressure for "sameness", what it means to be beautiful, what part of yourself are you willing to give up for the sake of success. Regardless of your identity, this film can't help but strike familiar and sometimes painful chords and questions."
Michael Botticelli
Assistant Commissioner for Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

MORE ABOUT THE FILM

 


Pinocchio, Schnozola, Sir Nose, Charles grows up to be self-conscious of his prominent Italian nose. Still, he was shocked when one of the teachers at his ballet academy asks him to consider plastic surgery to forward his career. Of course, in ballet, as in life, there are no guarantees as to whether it'll land him a starring role.
The Guarantee uses illustration and humor to start serious discussions about body image, cultural identity, and often-dangerous pursuits of physical perfection.

Appropriate for:
Elementary School•Middle School•High School•College/University

12 minutes • DVD

PURCHASE OR RENT

Have a discount/promotional code for this film? Enter it here and click on "Update".

Discount Code

12 min./ DVD
Institutions (Colleges/Universities)
$229
Community Groups/ Public Libraries/ High Schools
$99
Rental
$65
Order Policies View Cart Checkout

 

 

REVIEWS  

"Addressing the illusion of perfect bodies and flawless faces is necessary. Eating disorders, unnecessary surgeries, and mental distress, are all part of the "looks above all" society"
Stewart Landers, JD, MCP
Associate Editor, American Journal of Public Health

"In its 11-minute little life, The Guarantee, directed by Jesse Epstein , packs a wallop. Narrated in the first person by its protagonist, the film's main subject is never seen in person. Rather, he and his story are illustrated using hand drawn images by Robert Castillo, in a tour-de-force burst of pencil swipes, arcs, leaps and pirouettes, which is appropriate since Charles Farruggio is a ballet dancer with a really big nose. Humorous, witty and moving, Epstein's film pushes the boundaries of documentary, and what we end up seeing is a moving comic book version of a very personal and pretty traumatic story."
Pamela Cohn
Still In Motion: In-depth interviews with documentary/nonfiction filmmakers

full review

"Jesse Epstein's witty and visually engaging short "The Guarantee" uses the innovative technique of comic strip panels that are drawn before your eyes (through time-lapse photography) to tell the story of a male ballerina who is asked by his ballet company to have his nose reduced in size for the good of his career..."
Hugo Perez
IndieWire

"...the ending is both upbeat and unexpected in this engaging and innovative short."
3 Stars
Randy Pitman, Publisher/Editor
Video Librarian

full review

AWARDS / SCREENINGS

  • - Winner - Best Short Film: Newport International Film Festival
  • AFI/ Silverdocs Documentary Film Festival
  • Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
  • Mass MoCa Museum
  • Rooftop Films
  • Luna Fest
  • Mad Cat Film Festival

QUESTIONS or FEEDBACK
Check our FAQ page or
E-Mail us: curator@newday.com


HomeAbout UsWhat's NewFree CatalogTo OrderView Order Cart
Films by SubjectFilms by TitleFilmmakersSite Map
Member-Owner Access

NEW DAY FILMS
190 Route 17M
P.O. Box 1084
Harriman, NY 10926
PH: 888.367.9154
FAX: 845.774.2945

Copyright © 1996 - 2008. New Day Films. All Rights Reserved