GABI ON THE ROOF IN JULY
Gabi On The Roof In July
Lawrence Michael Levine, 2017
Catalog No.: FTF-201
Length: 101 minutes
A portrait of young New York and the misguided hopefuls who can't afford to live there but do anyway, Gabi on the Roof in July is an ensemble comedy about ex-girlfriends, sibling rivalry and whipped cream set in a city that's constantly in flux. Gabi, a rambunctious Oberlin undergrad, heads to New York City to spend the summer with her older brother, Sam, seeking solidarity in the wake of her parents divorce. When she gets there, she finds Sam too busy juggling women and too irked by her provocative antics and almost constant nudity to give her the guidance she needs. In an effort to get Sam's attention, Gabi seduces his free-loving, freeloading college buddy, only to find she's in over her head.
Cast: Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Brooke Bloom, Louis Cancelmi, Kate Lyn Sheil, Amy Seimetz and Lena Dunham
Directed by Lawrence Michael Levine
Written by Lawrence Michael Levine and Kate Kirtz
Produced by Sophia Takal
Cinematography by Aaron Kovalchik
Music by Kevin Barker & Carrituck Co.
Festivals: Brooklyn Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, IndieMemphis, Sidewalk Film Festival, Cinequest Film Festival
WATCH THE FILM
PRESS
"Gabi evokes a New York sentimentalist tradition that mixes the edge of golden era Cassavettes with the nostalgia of Woody Allen...The world of Gabi is deeply realized, surprising and full of energy.”
- Sara Schieron, Box Office Magazine
“Levine deploys a poised eye and witty dialogue that sticks like a needle left sitting on a cushion...Wisely observant of human nature as it bounces between the leads, "Gabi" evokes Woody Allen with a more generous heart (and a lot more casual nudity).”
- Steve Dollar, Wall Street Journal
“Expertly orchestrated....Gabi may rack up converts to bare-bones, improv-style cinema.”
- Ronnie Scheib, Variety
“A likeably offhanded indie comedy filled with winning performances”
- New York Magazine
“A meandering mumblecore that proves every bit as compelling as it is jaw dropping.”
- Kam Williams, Sly Fox Films
“Enchanting and unnerving...A beautiful, thoughtful piece of work.”
- Craig Keller, Cinemasparagus
“Levine taps into an honest vulnerability...a film that finds beauty and truth in silent pauses.”
- Garth Heath, Jr, Slant
“Takal’s fragile performance neatly explores college-age egocentrism...GABI wisely displays the relativistic nature of age.”
-Eric Kohn, Indiewire
“Levine & Takal are the mumblecore equivalent of Astaire and Rogers.”
-Henry Stewart, L Magazine
“Levine should earn some attention with this agreeable indie comedy.”
- Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
“Sharply observed...Ms. Takal, flashing a defiant grin like a weapon, is entirely believable as the petulant, crazy-making Gabi and Mr. Levine and Mr. Cancelmi also do admirable work.”
- Mike Hale, The New York Times
“Its energy and naturalistic performances deserve to be seen”
- Dan Persons, Huffington Post
“Hipster Rohmer...a celebration and critique of that stage of life when one travels in packs and sleeps in piles...Gabi on the Roof in July is an unusually strong example of starting-out filmmaking.”
- Richard von Busack, Metro Daily News
“A delightful film”
- Flavorwire
“Disconcertingly savvy about relationships...plenty of sensitive, convincing scenes...Gabi navigates our post-mumblecore moment with aplomb. I liked this film immensely.”
- Alejandro Adams, Hammer To Nail