Manhattan Film Festival

Over six decades, the forces at work--deindustrialization, city-suburb distress, depopulation, loss of political power and bad decision making--contributed to the largest municipal bankruptcy in American history. When it became clear that the Detroit Institute of Arts and its magnificent collection were assets that could be liquidated, the conflict between selling art and funding pensions for municipal retirees became the central point of tension in the case. The nation's major philanthropies together with the State of Michigan finally brought to the table the missing ingredient--cash. Gradually, Then Suddenly traces the Detroit's path into insolvency and bankruptcy and the extraordinary plan that created a future this once great city.

Diane, an aspiring actress, finds herself in the office of psychiatrist Dr. Hiller. As part of a ground-breaking if controversial study, Dr. Hiller hires Diane to role play as the deceased partner of one of his clients. Desperate for work, Diane accepts the job and finds herself in a position where she must act out a scenario in which to bring emotional closure to someone else's pain. However, when Diane realizes the selfishness of her assigned client, she is thrust into a dilemma of continuing her usual behavior of people-pleasing or to finally stand up for herself.

Pastor Donald Gray’s life-long quest to save children trapped in the darkness of economic and societal despair began when he honored his spiritual and moral convictions years ago. Turning his back on a lucrative business career, he entered the ministry and created an organization to lead children out of a cycle of poverty, violence, drugs and family disintegration. “Long ago somebody reached out and helped me and I plan to give back and help everyone I can for as long as I’m able,” he says. Donald brings us into “his world” where he fights for and beside the children struggling against hunger, drug dealers, gangs and a system seemingly rigged against them depending on “their zip code.”

In pursuit of his dreams, Igor faces the devastating loss of his loved one, a truth he struggles to accept. Supported by his pragmatic friend Mr. Raef, Igor wrestles with the temptation to take drastic action in his grief, realizing the profound consequences it could have on his path and identity. It’s a poignant exploration of love, loss, and moral dilemmas.

After a tragedy that she struggles to understand, a wife and mother falls into alcoholism, unable to cope. Her confused husband, fed up with her dangerous behavior in front of their children, is torn between hopefully waiting for her to recover, or breaking up their family.