A FILM BY JENNIFER ESPOSITO
Daily Beast calls Fresh Kills “the best mafia movie in ages”
Audiences give Fresh Kills a 98% rating!
NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Houston, Boston, Tampa (Sarasota), Washington DC (Hagerstown), Hartford/New Haven, Baltimore, San Diego, Boise and Jacksonville.
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“Finally: Fresh Kills is the best mafia movie in ages...Jennifer Esposito’s debut feature isn’t a mere “not bad"—it’s a stone-cold “this is great” success.”
Daily Beast
“This has that Mean Streets vibe and yet there is a level that even Mean Streets couldn't touch that Fresh Kills does…”
Go Indie Now
“Fresh Kills stands tall alongside the best post-Godfather gangster movies…Fresh Kills would make a fascinating double-feature with Martin Scorsese's breakthrough feature Mean Streets…”
RogerEbert.com
“A compelling and much-needed reimaging of the typical mob film’s gender politics, Fresh Kills reveals Esposito as a confident, assured filmmaker.”
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
“This is powerful filmmaking on every level” “Esposito wrote, produced, directed, and stars, knocking it out of the cinematic park!”
Edge Media Network
SYNOPSIS
In her writing & directing debut, veteran actress Jennifer Esposito (Crash, Summer of Sam, Samantha Who, Blue Bloods) brings the late 1980s/early 1990s Staten Island to vivid life through the lens of Rose Larusso (Emily Bader), an inquisitive young woman who discovers her father (Domenick Lombardozzi) is an emerging mafia kingpin. Rose’s growing desire to break free from the path set before her soon threatens her existence and alienates her from her closest allies: her mother (Esposito), aunt (Annabella Sciorra) and sister (Odessa A’zion). Smart, thrilling, and nuanced, FRESH KILLS turns the classic mob movie inside out, by taking audiences on a journey with two teenage girls, living in a mafia life filled with violence, fear, and rage. A closed off world that dictates who these young women are destined to become… unless they fight to break free.
SYNOPSIS
In her writing & directing debut, veteran actress Jennifer Esposito (Crash, Summer of Sam, Samantha Who, Blue Bloods) brings the late 1980s / early 1990s Staten Island to vivid life through the lens of Rose Larusso (Emily Bader), an inquisitive young woman who discovers her father (Domenick Lombardozzi) is an emerging mafia kingpin. Rose’s growing desire to break free from the path set before her soon threatens her existence and alienates her from her closest allies: her mother (Esposito), aunt (Annabella Sciorra) and sister (Odessa A’zion). Smart, thrilling, and nuanced, FRESH KILLS turns the classic mob movie inside out, by taking audiences on a journey with two teenage girls, living in a mafia life filled with violence, fear, and rage. A closed off world that dictates who these young women are destined to become… unless they fight to break free.
CAST
EMILY BADER (Rose Larusso)
In addition to starring in FRESH KILLS, opposite Jennifer Esposito, Odessa A’Zion, and Annabella Sciorra, Emily Bader stars in MY LADY JANE, Amazon Studios’ highly anticipated action-adventure comedy series. Laurie MacDonald (FLIGHT, MEN IN BLACK, THE TERMINAL), Jamie Babbit (ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SILICON VALLEY) are producing along with the author of the source material, Jodi Meadows. Additional cast includes Edward Bluemel (KILLING EVE), Jim Broadbent and Dominic Cooper.
Instagram: @emily_bader
ODESSA A’ZION (Connie Larusso)
Odessa A’zion is a rising star, who can next be seen in the role of ‘Connie’ in the highly anticipated crime film FRESH KILLS. Odessa also recently wrapped filming opposite Bette Midler and Yara Shahidi in Amazon Studios’ Rom-Com SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE. Most notably, Odessa starred as Riley in Hulu’s HELLRAISER. Odessa also
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stars in the lead role opposite Andie MacDowell in the drama GOOD GIRL JANE and stars in the upcoming film POOLS alongside Ariel Winter. Odessa has also made a name for herself in television starring in the Netflix drama series GRAND ARMY. Odessa is also well versed in the comedic space, as can be seen in her role in CBS’s comedy GHOSTS and has several other comedies–from CBS’s FAM to Amazon’s WAYNE–under her belt.
Instagram: @odessaazion
JENNIFER ESPOSITO (Director, Writer, Producer, & Francine Larusso)
With a career spanning over 25 years, Jennifer Esposito is a Screen Actors Guild, Critics Choice and Hollywood Foreign Press award recipient. She has appeared in over 60 films and television productions, most notably the Academy Award-Winning film CRASH by Paul Haggis, SUMMER OF SAM by Spike Lee and WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD,
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by The Russo Brothers. Some of her TV work includes SPIN CITY, SAMANTHA WHO, BLUE BLOODS, THE AFFAIR, THE BOYS. and NORA FROM QUEENS. Jennifer makes her writing and directing debut with FRESH KILLS, in which she also produced and plays a supporting role. She was also the first to incorporate NFTs as a fundraising tool for independent films.
Instagram: @jesposito
IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm0261170/
Website: www.arebelliousact.com
DOMENICK LOMBARDOZZI (Joe Larusso)
Domenick Lombardozzi is an established actor known for his work on both the big and small screen alike with over sixty credits to his name, working with some of the world’s most talented filmmakers.
Lombardozzi starred as the head of the Genovese crime family, Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno in Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed Netflix feature, THE IRISHMAN, opposite Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci about the rise and murder
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and subsequent disappearance of Teamsters president, Jimmy Hoffa. Lombardozzi completely transforms in the role from a man in his early 40s to a man in his late 60s. Lombardozzi credits De Niro and Chazz Palminteri for giving him his first acting role when he was just 15 years-old playing Nicky Zero in the classic 1993 film A Bronx Tale, which was De Niro’s directorial debut.
Of all his roles, Lombardozzi is perhaps most recognized for his role in the iconic HBO series, THE WIRE, where he portrayed ‘Detective Thomas ‘Herc’ Hauk,’ a loveably flawed Baltimore Police officer turned PI. Lombardozzi then took a comedic turn in HBO’s ENTOURAGE as ‘Dom’, one of the gang’s old friends who happens to be an ex-convict.
He also appeared in a season long arc on Showtime’s RAY DONOVAN as a troubled and damaged police officer, Courtney Kemp’s hit Starz series, POWER, as well as HBO/David
Simon’s WE OWN THIS CITY, and THE DEUCE where he plays legendary NY police detective ‘Jack Maple’. He most recently can be seen as Charles ‘Chickie’ Invernizzi on Taylor Sheridan’s TULSA KING for Paramount+, as Sylvester Stallone’s nemesis.
His other past television credits include: MAGNUM P.I., MRS. FLETCHER, MARVELOUS MS. MAISEL, YELLOWSTONE, MACGYVER, BILLIONS, SNEAKY PETE, THE GOOD WIFE, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, ROSEWOOD, and BREAKOUT KINGS. His other past film credits include: BRIDGE OF SPIES, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, FIND ME GUILTY, THE FAMILY, THE WANNABE, THE GAMBLER, BLOOD TIES, MIAMI VICE, and COLD PURSUIT.
He can next be seen in a season long arc in the second season of the hit Amazon series, JACK REACHER based on the Lee Child novels, and in Grant Singer’s Netflix feature crime thriller REPTILE opposite Benicio del Toro.
Instagram: @domenicklombardozzi
ANNABELLA SCIORRA (Christine)
Annabella Sciorra is best known for her powerful Emmy-nominated performance as ‘Gloria Trillo’ in HBO’s THE SOPRANOS. She can currently be seen opposite Sylvester Stallone in Taylor Sheridan’s recently renewed Paramount+ series, TULSA KING, as well as in the Apple limited series, TRUTH BE TOLD, opposite Octavia Spencer and Aaron Paul. Other television credits include GODFATHER OF HARLEM (Epix), GLOW (Netflix), Marvel’s DAREDEVIL (Netflix), NEW AMSTERDAM (NBC) Marvel’s LUKE CAGE (Netflix),
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THE L WORD (Showtime), and LAW & ORDER: CI (NBC), among others.
On the feature side, Annabella will next be seen opposite Jennifer Esposito in the indie feature FRESH KILLS, which is premiering at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Annabella also starred in the indie feature, BEFORE I GO, directed by Eric Schaeffer, as well as Fiona and Sophia Robert’s A VIEW OF THE WORLD FROM FIFTH AVENUE, opposite Whit Stillman and Logan Miller.
Annabella achieved leading lady status starting with Spike Lee’s JUNGLE FEVER and Curtis Hanson’s THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. Other feature credits include WHAT DREAMS MAY COME opposite Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr., among numerous others. She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead in Nancy Savoca’s TRUE LOVE.
Instagram: @iamannabellasciorra
NICHOLAS CIRILLO (Allie)
Nicholas “Nick” Cirillo is a rising star in Hollywood, with an impressive resume that speaks for itself. Currently starring opposite Natasha Lyonne in Rian Johnson’s POKER FACE for Peacock and soon to begin production on season four of OUTER BANKS, Nick’s talent and versatility are undeniable. He recently showcased his range with excellent performances in Jennifer Esposito’s FRESH KILLS,
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which made it into the Tribeca Film Festival, and Lionsgate’s THE JESUS REVOLUTION, where he shared the screen with Kelsey Grammer, Jim Gaffigan, and Joel Courtney. Nick’s star power is also evident in his recurring role in Disney+/Marvel’s SHE HULK. With his magnetic presence and impressive range, casting directors are sure to second-guess themselves for not choosing him. Keep an eye out for this rising star, as he continues to shine on both the big and small screens.
Instagram: @nick_v_cirillo
DAVID IACONO (Bobby Jr)
David Iacono, is a true multi talented star on the rise. He plays the role of “Bobby Jr.” in the highly anticipated crime drama FRESH KILLS. In Spring 2024, David appeared on Netflix’s DEAD BOY DETECTIVES, based on DC Comics characters created by Neil Gaiman. He can also be seen on season two of Amazon Prime Video’s young adult series THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY, where he reprised the fan-favorite role of Cam. David also starred in the thriller, CINNAMON, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival and released on Tubi.
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In 2022, David returned as ‘Eli Briscoe’ in season two of HBO Max’s Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics Choice nominated mystery/thriller series THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT and reprised his recurring role as ‘Faust Aquino’ in the third season of Showtime’s crime drama series CITY ON A HILL, which stars Kevin Bacon. He also recurred as the handsome and charming Brooklynite ‘Ralphie’ in seasons two and three of Starz’s drama series HIGHTOWN.
ABOUT THE FILM
Jennifer Esposito
Director/Writer/
Producer/Actress
Growing up in Staten Island, I was constantly obsessed with the question of WHY? WHY were the women, especially the young women, around me so violently angry?
I ran, and then ran again, from some of the most frightening young women you would never want to meet. Theirs was an anger that couldn’t be explained. It wasn’t just because their families were in the mafia, and possibly killers, it was more than that – it was the bleakness of their futures.
The role models they had, their mothers, had lost their dreams and voices many years ago. Their roads were mapped out from birth and there was nothing they could do about it. This trapped feeling reverberated on Staten Island in more ways than I could explain – a stillness that nothing changes and nothing should.
Years went by and I left the island as quickly as I could. Still, that question haunted me, about that anger. I looked around and realized that anger was also carried by most of the women around me and for the exact same reasons. Their true voices had to be silenced along with most of their dreams. The road in front of them was not wide open, there were unspoken rules that seemed to apply to females only.
FRESH KILLS is set in the Mafia world and is about the journey of the women in it. I wrote a mafia film that explores the lives of the women we see onscreen but never get to know. Specifically, their struggle to find a voice of one’s own in a world that tells them not to have one. It explores the issues of wanting more than you were allotted for in life. A theme almost all can relate to. What I’m examining are the unspoken rules of our society and then seeing if we have the courage to break them for ourselves and the generations to follow.
I placed this story in the world of the mafia because that’s where this question started for me. However, what I am exercising here are the unspoken rules of this world which plague all women in our society. The voices we had to repress and the lives we aren’t living because of the societal limitations of simply being born female.
PHOTOS
I WANT MY
FRESH KILLS
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FRESH KILLS
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CRITICAL ACCLAIM
“Emily Bader, Jennifer Esposito and Odessa A’zion named in Deadline as one of the top 15 Favorite Movie Performances of 2023.” – Deadline.com
“Fresh Kills stands tall alongside the best post-Godfather gangster movies…Fresh Kills would make a fascinating double-feature with Martin Scorsese’s breakthrough feature Mean Streets…” – RogerEbert.com
“This is powerful filmmaking on every level” “Esposito wrote, produced, directed, and stars, knocking it out of the cinematic park!” – Edge Media Network
“A compelling and much-needed reimaging of the typical mob film’s gender politics, Fresh Kills reveals Esposito as a confident, assured filmmaker.” – Alliance of Women Film Journalists
“…a gritty yet heartfelt look at mob life as seen through female eyes…To sum up, Esposito is not merely a “female Scorsese” or a “Modern Normand.”… Esposito is indeed her own artist with her own naturalistic style.” – Screen Comment
“Jennifer Esposito creates something authentic and captivating. Fresh Kills is a uniquely compelling piece of work in the pantheon of gangster movies, grounded by powerful performances and a stellar directorial debut.” – Film Inquiry
“Jennifer Esposito scores a victory in every way imaginable with her directorial debut, an epic that is not only one of the best films at Cinequest this year but one of the best movies of 2023.…It’s an electrifying debut that reinvents and reinvigorates mobster tropes.” – The Mercury News
“This has that Mean Streets vibe and yet there is a level that even Mean Streets couldn’t touch that Fresh Kills does…In my humble opinion the acting on display here really begins with an award recognizing type performance from Odessa A’zion. Connie is the catalyst for all that Rose experiences and in a lot of ways how she feels as this lifetime of shit unfolds. Emily Bader who plays Rose has this incredible ability in which I love how controlled she is in moments of stillness where you can literally touch the screen and brace yourself for what comes next…” – Go Indie Now
“It is rare for an actor turned director to make a first film that makes history. Jennifer Esposito’s directorial and screenwriting debut, Fresh Kills, is the first serious “mob movie” to be scripted and directed by an American woman, in which females absolutely dominate, both on- and off-screen. Mention of the word “godmother”—by the lovely Annabella Sciorra—packs the same feminist punch that “patriarchy” does in Barbie.” – The Purist
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