The Believer
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Henry Bean
Summer Phoenix
Joel Diamond
Peter Meadows
Michael Port
Tibor Feldman
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Inspired by real events, a tale about evolution and contradiction which tells the story of Danny Balint, who transformed himself from a Jewish religious student to a venerated principal in the Neo-Fascist political movement. Danny is an intense young man whose fierce intelligence and inexhaustible curiosity once made him a star pupil at his local Yeshiva. Now, at age 22, he focuses this intensity on more sinister aims, transforming himself from a religious student to a rising star in local neo-fascist circles, Danny spends his days attacking synagogues and fomenting hate among a devoted band of followers. In a series of twists and turns, Danny exhibits all the passion of the converted as he browses militia-movement web sites, utters hate-filled but articulate discourses on Judaism and its teachings, and promotes its ultimate destruction. At a neo-fascist organizing meeting at the home of Lina Moebius, Danny impresses people with his articulate violence, especially Lina's bright and complicated daughter, Carla, who is more interested in Danny's mind and passion then in her mother's politics. When his own suppressed identity seems likely to be revealed, he flees to a upstate training enclave, further galvanizing his desire to act out the vicious vilification subscribed to by him and his compatriots. But as events ensue and striking contradictions multiply, something in Danny's soul prompts a complex and incredible journey in which he is drawn back to Judaism.
Director
Henry Bean
Cast
Summer Phoenix
Joel Diamond
Peter Meadows
Michael Port
Tibor Feldman
Ebon Moss-bachrach
Roberto Gari
Harvey Liberman
Henry Bean
Heather Goldenhersh
Theresa Russell
Glenn Fitzgerald
Chuck Ardezzone
Michael Marcus
Billy Zane
James Mccaffrey
Lucille Patton
Eileen B Weiss
Samantha Brody
A.d. Miles
Tommy Nohilly
Joshua Harto
Garret Dillahunt
Jordan Lage
Kris Eivers
Jack Drummond
Judah Lazarus
Christopher Kadish
Joel Marsh Garland
Dean Strober
Jacob Green
Sig Libowitz
John Wills Martin
Ronald Guttman
Carl Fischer
David Bailey
Frank Winters
Sascha Knopf
Ryan Gosling
Elizabeth Reaser
Crew
Alex Alvarez
Stephanie Angel
Henry Bean
Henry Bean
Sarah Berney
Matt Blades
Susan Block
Roger M. Bobb
Eric Boncher
Steven Briante
Pete Bucossi
Damian Canelos
Claire Cario
Jim Denault
Daniel Diamond
Joel Diamond
Renee Didio
Renee Didio
Maggie Engelhardt
John Erbes
Kimberly N. Fajen
Kimberly N. Fajen
Roy Farfel
Jordan Finnegan
Jay Firestone
David Fischer
Joe Foley
Angela Gallagher
Angela Gallagher
Dave Gorn
Phil Gries
Shahan Guiragossian
Adam Haight
Robert Wayne Harris
Elizabeth Hedges
Don Hewitt
Peter Hoffman
Susan Hoffman
Mark Jacobson
Drew Jiritano
Michael Jortner
Charles Kaplan
Linda Krantz
Brian Langman
Brian Langman
Mayin Lo
Matthew Manson
Mike Meador
Scott Miller
Lisa Molinaro
Jill Newell
Jennifer Newman
Celine Pascot
Lee Percy
Suzana Peric
Jennifer Quesenberry
Dave Raphael
Christopher Roberts
Mike Russo
Eric Sandys
Tracy Sanford
Eric Scott
Lucio Seixas
David Shumbris
Paul P Soucek
Joia Speciale
Victor Spinelli
Adrienne Stern
Katie Stern
Carrie Stewart
Craig Striano
Niknaz Tavakolian
Thomas L. Viviano
Renee Von Maluski
Ben Wolf
Andrew Yeo
Derek Yip
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Miscellaneous Notes
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Film - Drama at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
Released in United States Spring May 17, 2002
Released in United States on Video April 22, 2003
Released in United States 2001
Released in United States January 2001
Released in United States June 2001
Released in United States August 2001
Awarded top prize at the 2001 Moscow Film Festival.
Shown at Moscow International Film Festival (in competition) June 21-30, 2001.
Shown at Munich Film Festival June 2001.
Shown at Edinburgh International Film Festival August 12-26, 2001.
Inspired by the true story of Daniel Burros, a Nazi Party member who killed himself in 1965 when "The New York Times" revealed he was Jewish.
Directorial debut for screenwriter Henry Bean.
Completed shooting July 31, 2000.
Began shooting June 19, 2000.
Released in United States Spring May 17, 2002
Released in United States on Video April 22, 2003
Released in United States 2001 (Awarded top prize at the 2001 Moscow Film Festival.)
Released in United States January 2001 (Shown at Sundance Film Festival (Dramatic Competition) in Park City, Utah January 18-28, 2001.)
Released in United States June 2001 (Shown at Moscow International Film Festival (in competition) June 21-30, 2001.)
Released in United States June 2001 (Shown at Munich Film Festival June 2001.)
Released in United States August 2001 (Shown at Edinburgh International Film Festival August 12-26, 2001.)
