Question: What do Orson Welles, Paul Thomas Anderson and Jennifer Esposito have in common?  Answer: Their first films as writer/director/producer were all successes. The difference between them is, Esposito had less money, shot for only twenty-one days during a pandemic and she’s a woman.  Although “Citizen Kane” and “Boogie Knights” have known commercial success, Esposito’s “Fresh Kills” will soon be making its place in the world of cinema with her standing as a blueprint for how pursuing one’s dream can lead to success.

I spoke with Esposito last year when her film premiered at Tribeca. After its initial screening, “Fresh Kills” traveled around the country and got noticed, her film poster now has more palm leaves than the state of Hawaii, making festivals nationwide and winning awards along the way, including Artistic Director’s Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.

All this leads up to the word all independent filmmakers yearn to hear: distribution!  Despite dealing with covid during production shooting and SAG and WGA strikes during post-production marketing, “Fresh Kills” opened in theaters nationwide on June 14th amid summer blockbusters and held its own.  It currently has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and if there’s anybody that should feel gratified, it’s Esposito.

“Fresh Kills” is a gritty and heartfelt crime drama about mob life, as seen through women’s eyes.  In this case, a Staten Island family consisting of two daughters, their aunt (Annabella Sciorra) and their mother, played by Esposito herself.

Mob movies date back to the 1930s, so why has it taken so long for one to be made from the female perspective?

“Because people don’t think females are important,” Esposito honestly replied before adding, “When I pitched it years ago, most people believed it wasn’t a real mob film because it was about women.”  Perhaps it is an unfortunate truth that Hollywood has yet to conquer gender inequality. However, the joke is on those who doubted Esposito. Because her film shows that women can find their true expression despite being boxed in by the constraints of what’s expected of them.  It’s also possibly a metaphor for Esposito’s own experience of being put in the actress box, which denied her the opportunities afforded male filmmakers.

Over the years, many actors have gone from being in front of the camera to behind it.  What motivated Esposito to join the ranks of people like Jodie Foster and Jordan Peele?  “I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, it’s because I didn’t always feel appreciated creatively as an actor.”  “I’ve never felt this way about any role I’ve ever played.”  She emphasizes further, “What I wanted to see on camera was all character-based.”

Funding for independent films is scarce–it’s no secret.  Esposito mortgaged her own house to help finance “Fresh Kills.”  But despite this, she welcomed the challenge.  “At the end of the day, I just had to allow the film to show me what it was showing me and let it go where it wanted to go.”  Considering “Fresh Kills” is a period piece complete with vintage cars and clothing from the eighties, as well as various location shots all over Staten Island (Esposito’s hometown), adversity wouldn’t get in the way of her staggering achievement.

“It wasn’t so much the lack of money; it was the lack of support.”  She further explained, “You don’t need a lot of money to make a really solid film, but bigger studios are more concerned with who’s in it.”  Talk shows used to help plug projects were telling Esposito they were booked up. “It’s painful when a good piece of material can’t get air. People need to support independent film!” she affirmed.

Having worked with various high-profile directors over the years, I asked Esposito if picking up the bullhorn herself has given her a new appreciation of what they go through in getting a film made.  “Absolutely!  Being on set was easy, but the business side really tested me,” she claimed.

When asked if there was anything she would have done differently when she watched the film, Esposito mused, “Little things that wouldn’t bother anyone but me. But on a whole, I’m very proud of the film.”  Her pride is certainly justified based on the positive reviews of critics and audiences.
Esposito wants to make up for lost time. She’s signed to direct another crime drama and is working on a new screenplay. She also welcomes the opportunity to direct television, “I look forward to doing anything fun, different and exciting.”

“Fresh Kills” is currently available for rental on Apple, Amazon Prime and anywhere you rent movies.