Counterfeiters (2017 film)

Counterfeiters is a 2017 American action film, directed, produced, written by, and starring Bryce Hirschberg. Counterfeiters (based on his short film by the same name), tells the story of a young man, Bridger, who creates a "do-it-yourself" method of counterfeiting money to save his dying mother. It is notable for being filmed almost entirely on a boat in Marina del Rey, California on a shoe-string budget.[1]

Counterfeiters
Counterfeiters iTunes poster
Directed byBryce Hirschberg
Written byBryce Hirschberg
Starring
  • Bryce Hirschberg
  • Taylor Lockwood
  • Robert McEveety
CinematographyDavid Klassen
Edited byBryce Hirschberg
Music byJT Nebeker
Distributed by
Release dates
  • September 8, 2017 (2017-09-08) (Wales International Film Festival)
  • June 15, 2018 (2018-06-15) (Theatrical)
Running time
73 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Recent college graduate and hard-working kid, Bridger (Bryce Hirschberg), receives heartbreaking news that his mother has cancer. Strapped for cash, he needs to make more money than his day job pays to provide his mother with treatment. As fate would have it, he finds a half bleached dollar bill in his pocket after pulling his clothes out of the wash. This spurs an idea on how to 'make' a ton of money. BUT he would only focus on counterfeiting 'small' bills, 5s, 10s, 20s, because 'who checks a $10?'. After bringing his close friends in on the scheme, they begin to abuse the process, which puts Bridger, and his mother, at risk. And a sting involving one of his best friends turns deadly.

Cast
  • Bryce Hirschberg as Bridger
  • Robert McEveety as Rob
  • Taylor Lookwood as Preston
  • Noel Castellanos as Jose
  • Shawn Rolph as Jimmy
  • Bridget Avildsen as Genise
  • Nick Huebner as Alvin
  • Peyton Pritchard as Amber

Release

The film was completed in July 2017 and had its world premiere at the Action On Film International Film Festival in[2] Las Vegas, Nevada at the Brenden Theatre in the Palms Casino Resort. It has since been screened at several major film festivals around the world including; the Wolves Independent International Film Festival (Lithuania), Miami Independent Film Festival (United States), Wales International Film Festival (United Kingdom), Marina del Rey Film Festival (United States), Oniros Film Awards (Italy), and Filmchella (United States).

The film was released on iTunes and Amazon Prime by GoDigital on February 6, 2018, before being released theatrically in a limited release on June 15, 2018.

Reception

Counterfeiters received positive reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 67% based on 6 reviews.[3] Alex Arabian of Film Inquiry praised Hirschberg, "This is the work of a talented filmmaker just beginning his creative endeavors in the industry. By combining realism with some of his favorite cinematic influences, maximizing an impressively minimal budget, and embracing the art of collaboration, Hirschberg makes a commendable film debut with Counterfeiters."[4] Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times commented, "...the ambition and moments of inspired style are [to] be lauded."[5]

Awards
Award Category Recipient Result
Wolves Independent International Film Awards[6] Best Narrative Feature Counterfeiters Won
Marina del Rey Film Festival Audience Award Best Feature Counterfeiters Won
Action on Film International Film Festival Best Ensemble Cast – Feature Counterfeiters Nominated
Best Art Direction – Feature Counterfeiters Nominated
Best Drama – Feature Counterfeiters Nominated
Filmchella Gorilla Award Counterfeiters Won
Oniros Film Awards[7] Best Actor Bryce Hirschberg Won
Frostbite International Film Festival[8] Best Feature Film Counterfeiters Won
Film Fest Los Angeles Best Feature Film Counterfeiters Won
Best Actor Bryce Hirschberg Won
Best Screenplay Counterfeiters Won
Best Director Bryce Hirschberg Won
Best Editor Bryce Hirschberg Won

References
  1. "Marina-Venice Movie Magic". The Argonaut Newsweekly. 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  2. "AOF 2017 Action on Film Festival Aug 17-26". AOF 2017 Action on Film Festival Aug 17-26. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  3. Counterfeiters (2018), retrieved 2020-07-20
  4. "COUNTERFEITERS: An Auspicious Debut From Bryce Hirschberg". filminquiry.com. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  5. Walsh, Katie. "Lo-fi crime drama 'Counterfeiters' stumbles with points for style". latimes.com. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  6. "WIIFF". ramuno-atelje.eu. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  7. "The Winners". onirosfilmawards.com. Oniros Film Awards. Archived from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  8. "frostbitefilmfest". Retrieved 2017-10-10.
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