ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL by Steve James

Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m., Cinéma du Parc

Montreal, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 – The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) is back with its monthly screenings cycle RIDM+ that presents unseen auteur documentaries. To launch the 2018 edition, which unfolds from February to June, the RIDM is pleased to present the Quebec premiere of Abacus: Small Enough to Jail by Steve James (Hoop Dreams, Life Itself), 2018 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature. The film will be screened on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m. at Cinéma du Parc.

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail tells the incredible saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves – and their bank’s legacy in the Chinatown community – over the course of a five-year legal battle.

Skilfully mixing interviews, journalistic and legal articles, archives and scenes from private everyday life, Steve James shows his empathy for the people in need. Due to the fact that the Sung family’s bank, for questionable reasons, was the only bank to face criminal charges following the financial crisis, James questions the politico-legal system and the cultural community handling in the United States. Once again, he puts together a portrait of inspiring characters.

The RIDM+ is presented by Télé-Québec.

 

ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL by Steve James

United-States | 2017 | 90 minutes | In original English

Trailer : www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH4OMyYzjZ0 

Premiere at RIDM+ on Thursday, February 22 at 7 p.m., at Cinéma du Parc

Purchase tickets online: http://bit.ly/RIDM_Abacus

 

On the last Thursday of every month, the RIDM+ series, presented by the Montreal International Documentary Festival, gives film lovers the opportunity to see a high-quality documentary, including recent hits from the festival circuit and classics of the genre. It is a rare chance to see these films on the big screen in Montreal, and an opportunity to meet the filmmakers or attend a special presentation given by an expert on a film’s subject matter.

 

NEXT SCREENINGS:

RIDM+ March

DERNIERS JOURS À SHIBATI by Hendrick Dussolier

France | 2017 | 60 minutes | In original Cantonese, with French subtitles

RIDM+ April

THE OTHER SIDE OF EVERYTHING by Mila Turajlic

Serbia/France/Qatar | 2017 | 100 minutes | In original Serbian, with French subtitles