The Believer (2001)

A young Jewish man develops a fiercely anti-Semitic philosophy. Based on the factual story of a K.K.K. member in the 1960s who was revealed to be Jewish by a New York Times reporter.

Director:

Henry Bean

Writers:

Henry Bean (screenplay), Henry Bean (story)

Stars:

Ryan Gosling, Summer Phoenix, Peter Meadows

6 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan Gosling	...	Danny Balint
Peter Meadows	...	Orthodox Student
Garret Dillahunt	...	Billings
Kris Eivers	...	Carleton
Joel Marsh Garland	...	O.L. (as Joel Garland)
Billy Zane	...	Curtis Zampf
Theresa Russell	...	Lina Moebius
Summer Phoenix	...	Carla Moebius
Jack Drummond	...	Old Coot
Sig Libowitz	...	Rav Zingesser
James McCaffrey	...	Young Avi (as James G. McCaffrey)
Jacob Green	...	Young Danny
Frank Winters	...	Young Stuart
Ronald Guttman	...	Danny's Father
Heather Goldenhersh	...	Linda

Storyline

"The Believer" explores a Jewish student's private journey to understand the meaning of Judaism in his life. Set in New York City, the Plot follows a morally confused young adult struggling with the conflict between his beliefs and his heritage. "The Believer" examines themes of religion, family, and self-loathing. It is a psychological examination into the forces of intolerance, both on the individual and society as a whole.

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Plot Keywords:

skinhead | new york times | judaism | self loathing | new york city | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexual content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

23 August 2001 (Russia)

Also Known As:

Danny Balint

Filming Locations:

Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,236, 19 May 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$406,035, 29 September 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fuller Films, Seven Arts Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Critically acclaimed, grand-jury prize winner at Sundance Festival in January 2001, then appeared on Showtime pay-cable in March 2002, before finally being released theatrically in NYC, May 2002.

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Goofs

A copy of The New York Times is shown with an article about Danny. However, the article is not printed in the font the Times uses.

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Quotes

Rav Zingesser: And you, had you come out of Egypt you would have been destroyed in the desert with all of those who worshipped the Golden Calf!
Young Danny: Then let him destroy me now. Let him crush me like the conceited bully he is.
[looks up]
Young Danny: Go ahead.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

User Reviews

Extremely thought-provoking masterpiece!

The Believer is the kind of film that has social relevance beyond the contents of the actual film. Highly-censored through corporate teamwork, The Believer was never picked up by a major distribution house because of its provocative subject matter. The film demands a re-examination of beliefs and a discussion. Isn't this the kind of provocative free-thinking that the medium is about? The Believer is one of the top 5 films i've seen in the last few years, in regards to disturbing consciousness. It is the kind of movie that can help us understand one another a little better. A MUST SEE!