Event Archive:

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail: Director: Steve James

Thu. February 9th 2017 Star Cinema $10.50

Event Navigation

Presenters (0)
Ticket Outlets (0)
Other Dates (0)
Articles (0)
Video (0)
Photos (0)

Event Info

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail: Director: Steve James

In 1984, attorney Thomas Sung observed the difficulty Chinese immigrants had get...
Event can be attended in person In-Person Event
Thu. February 9th 2017 + Add to Calendar Star Cinema (All Ages)
7:00pm $10.50

Artists

Director: Steve James

Event Description

In 1984, attorney Thomas Sung observed the difficulty Chinese immigrants had getting loans, and, with a dash of inspiration from Jimmy Stewart’s bighearted character in It’s A Wonderful Life, started the Abacus Federal Savings Bank.

Almost 30 years later, the New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. brought charges against this small, family-run bank, accusing it of, among other things, falsifying and fabricating loan and mortgage documents. Abacus Federal Savings Banks holds the notorious distinction of being the only US bank charged with mortgage fraud following the 2008 financial crisis.

Director Steve James creates a suspenseful and moving documentary (take note – do not look up the news story before seeing this film) and the element of shaming for this small family resonates as their humour and warmth is revealed. That James doesn’t overplay those moments and, instead, reveals a regular American family, makes this story all the more chilling and infuriating. James’ past films typically explored how minority groups try to buy into the American dream, only to discover that the system is rigged against them. This is no exception.

ABACUS is yet another strange, absorbing, tale of the 2008 American banking fiasco.

Venue

Star Cinema
9842 Third St
Theatre
Capacity150
Fully Accessible
Open / Operational

Other Events

Search the Directory / Archive

List an Event in the Calendar

List a Physical Single Date or Recurring Event

For physical events that happen at a specific time. For example a concert, or dance performance. If there are multiple shows, you can still duplicate your event to cover them all.

List an Online Livestream Event

For online / livestream events. This will allow you to include a livestream url and have it featured in our livestream listings.

List an Ongoing Event

For events that run over a range of consecutive dates. i.e. Art show, museum show etc.

Submit a Profile to the Directory

List an Individual Artist / Artisan / Musician

(Painter, Carver, Dancer, Writer etc)

List an Arts Ensemble

(Band / Choir /Dance Troupe, Theatre Troupe, Artist Collective etc.)

List an Organization / Resource in the Directory

(organization, business, venue etc)

Submit Art

Submit a piece of Art

Add a photo / information on art by a local artist

Submit Public Art (Current)

Submit a piece of local public art to the gallery & map.

Submit Public Art (Historical)

Add a photos + info on pieces of public art that no longer exist to be included in the permanent public archive.

News + Media

Post an Opportunity

(Jobs, Funding, Calls to Artists)

Add / Link a Video

Add a video, which will be linked to profiles, and appear in the video feed

Add / Link an Article

Add, or link to an article about content in the directory.

Log In to Your Account