Bound (2023 film) explained

Italic Title:Bound
Bound
Director:Isaac Hirotsu Woofter
Editing:Kristian Otero
Music:Ethan Startzman
Runtime:99 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Bound (sometimes stylized "BOUND") is a 2023 American crime-drama/thriller and feature directorial debut from former Broadway actor[1] turned screenwriter, Isaac Hirotsu Woofter.[2] The indie film is about a homeless runaway who gets back on her feet with the help of some “found family” before returning home to confront her dark past..[3]

Bound is loosely based off true events from lead actress Alexandra Faye Sadeghian's childhood that left her battling trauma. The film cover topics like mental illness and family.[4] [5] [6]

The story takes place in and around New York City,[7] but most of the filming took place in New Jersey.

Synopsis

When Bella discovers that her mentally ill uncle/stepfather, Gordy, hid her college acceptance letter, she kicks him out of the house, believing it to be for good. However, when her mother, Yeva, allows Gordy back, Bella and her pocket squirrel, Bandit, flee to New York City with no money, no friends and no plan to return.

In New York, Bella finds support from Marta, an undocumented immigrant; Owais, a lonely veteran; and Standrick, an insecure clothing designer. Bella begins to thrive until she uncovers an unlikely and horrifying connection. This revelation drives Bella to act impulsively without consulting her new “found family,” resulting in devastating consequences.

Bella and her friends devise dangerous plan to break free from Gordy. The plan fluctuates between success and failure, ultimately finding resolution with the help of an unexpected person.

Cast

The ensemble is made up mostly of diverse veteran stage actors,[8] including 5 Broadway performers; Karimloo,[9] Carroll[10] , Tewari[11] , Woofter, Mohseni[12] (who makes her Broadway debut in 2025),[13] and Bandit,[14] a live flying squirrel (aka sugar glider).

Reviews

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Bound has an 89% approval rating, based on nine reviews with an average review of 7/10.[23]

ReviewRon's Ronak Kotecha states that although "the last few scenes seem implausible...the complexity and depth of this film is definitely worth the price of admission."[24]

Tony Asankomah of GH Movie Freak says "Bound is sure to leave viewers with a profound reflection on the human capacity for change and the strength found in shared struggles...however, it might not pack enough to win over all audiences."[25]

Vague Visagess Q.V. Hough, says "...the feature directorial debut from actor Isaac Hirotsu Woofter, spotlights the struggles of fringe society characters but falls apart with its confusing editing and narrative structure."[26]

Dan Lybarger of Film Threat wrote that "New York has been filmed a lot over the last century and a half, but if Bound is any indication, the city that never sleeps has more promising tales to come."[27]

Festival Run & Awards

Bound had it's world premiere at the Regal Cinema in Union Square and will play festivals throughout 2024.

!Festival!Premiere!Date!Awards Wins/Noms
Dances with Films

NY

World PremiereNov 30, Dec 2, 2023[28] Audience Award (nom)
Dances with Films

LA

West Coast PremiereJun 22, 2024[29] Grand Jury (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Northeast Film FestivalNew Jersey PremiereSept 7, 2024[30] Best Film (win), Audience Choice (win), Best Actress (win), Best Director (nom), Best Supporting Actress (nom)[31]
Breck Film FestColorado PremiereSept 20, 2024[32] Best Ensemble (win), Best Writing (nom)[33]
Newport Beach Film FestivalNewport PremiereOct 18, 2024[34]
Bahamas International Film FestivalInternational PremiereNov 16, 2024[35]
Meliora Film FestNov 16, 2024[36]
Big Apple Film FestivalNov 20, 2024[37]

References

  1. Web site: April 14, 2011 . Isaac Woofter Broadway debut . Playbill.
  2. Web site: Papadatos . Markos . 2024-03-22 . Chatting with Isaac Hirotsu Woofter: Filmmaker, screenwriter, and director . 2024-07-28 . Digital Journal . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2024-04-22 . Bound – Feature Film Review – Indy Reviews . 2024-07-28 . en-US.
  4. BOUND - Review #GetThatMovie by HSC . 2024-02-05 . Hoy Sale Cine . 2024-07-28 . YouTube.
  5. BOUND - Review #GetThatMovie by HSC . 2024-02-05 . Hoy Sale Cine . 2024-07-28 . YouTube.
  6. Web site: film-authority.com . 2024-04-06 . Bound . 2024-07-28 . film-authority.com . en-GB.
  7. Web site: Knox-Smith . Michael . 2024-04-04 . Bound (2023) Debut Film Touches the Heart . 2024-07-28 . Mikes Film Talk . en-US.
  8. Web site: Propes . Richard . March 16, 2024 . Bound Review . The Independent Critic.
  9. Web site: March 23, 2014 . Ramin Karimloo Performer . Playbill.
  10. Web site: Rebecca . Film Carnage- . 2024-07-01 . Review: Bound . 2024-07-28 . FilmCarnage.com . en.
  11. Web site: 2024-05-20 . Indie Film Review "Bound" – One Film Fan . 2024-07-28 . en-US.
  12. Web site: Bound Review Film Reviews . 2024-07-28 . UK Film Review . en.
  13. Web site: Rigsbee . Valerie . Broadway Play Home - English . 2024-07-28 . broadwayplayhome.com . en.
  14. Web site: 2023-12-18 . BOUND – Dennis Schwartz Reviews . 2024-07-30 . en-US.
  15. Web site: Papadatos . Markos . 2024-03-22 . Ramin Karimloo talks about 'Bound' and 'Funny Girl' on Broadway . 2024-07-29 . Digital Journal . en-US.
  16. Web site: Gans . Andrew . September 14, 2022 . Dominic Fumusa, Abigail Hawk, and Jessica Pimentel Star in Jasper . Playbill.
  17. Web site: October 22, 1998 . Bryant Carroll Performer . Playbill.
  18. Web site: Gershonowitz . Heather . February 12, 2022 . Look Inside Atlantic Theater Company Premiere of Sanaz Toossi's English . Playbill.
  19. Web site: Putnam . Leah . June 23, 2022 . Marla Mindelle Stars as Céline Dion in Titanique Musical Parody . Playbill.
  20. Web site: Hall . Margaret . November 9, 2023 . Ode to the Wasp Woman Opens Off-Broadway . Playbill.
  21. Web site: November 9, 2017 . Alok Tewari Performer . Playbill.
  22. Web site: BOUND – Take 2 Indie Review . 2024-07-28 . en-US.
  23. Web site: Bound (2023) Rotten Tomatoes . 2024-07-29 . www.rottentomatoes.com . en.
  24. Web site: Kotecha . Ronak . March 2, 2024 . Review of Bound: Rejoice watching a crime-infested family spawn an unlikely heroine . ReviewRon.
  25. Web site: Asankomah . Tony . 2024-02-04 . Movie Review: A Deep Dive into Isaac Hirotsu Woofter's Indie Drama "Bound" . 2024-07-29 . GhMovieFreak . en-US.
  26. Web site: Hough . Q. V. . 2024-05-24 . Review: Isaac Hirotsu Woofter's 'Bound' . 2024-07-29 . Vague Visages . en-US.
  27. Web site: 2024-02-11 . Bound Featured, Reviews Film Threat . 2024-07-29 . en-US.
  28. Web site: arnewsteam . 2023-12-08 . 2nd Annual Dances With Films: NY Announces Filmmaker Awards . 2024-07-28 . Awards Radar . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2024-05-30 . Dances With Films: LA Exciting 2024 Lineup Includes Paper Flowers and Max Dagan . 2024-07-28 . www.moviemaker.com . en-US.
  30. Web site: Northeast Film Festival - Saturday, Sep 07, 2024 - Teaneck, NJ Best Local Things . 2024-08-29 . bestlocalthings.com . en.
  31. Web site: 2024 Winners . 2024-09-14 . Northeast Film Festival . en.
  32. Web site: 2024 Breck Film Fest . 2024-07-28 . breckfilmfest.eventive.org.
  33. Web site: Breck Film Festival 2024 . 2024-10-01 . Breck Film Eclipse Theater . en-US.
  34. Web site: Newport Beach Film Festival 2024 . 2024-10-01 . nbff2024.eventive.org.
  35. Web site: The Festival : Bound : Bahamas International Film Festival . 2024-10-01 . www.bintlfilmfest.com.
  36. Web site: Meliora International Film Festival – Celebrating Movies That Are Making The World A Better Place . 2024-10-26 . en-US.
  37. Web site: 2024 Big Apple Film Festival (Fall Edition) . 2024-10-26 . bafffall2024.eventive.org.

External links

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