Knights in Newark

United States, 12m, F55

Knights in Newark is a dystopic fable that addresses the current immigration crisis affecting families across the United States, resulting in an entire generation of legally born children being separated from their illegal immigrant families. Since her parents are under threat of deportation and only emerge from their apartment at night to work minimum wage jobs, 8-year-old Marta, a natural-born U.S. citizen, is tasked with running errands during the day. At the same time, and being a resourceful child, she manages to assemble a machine that she thinks will protect her parents from the evil forces that exist beyond.

Director: Nic Yulo
Writer/Producer: Christopher Abeel 
Co-Producers: Austin Drakes, Sasha John, and Jorge Arzac
Director of Photography: Jorge Arzac
Editor: Noelia Deza
Production Design: Alina Smirnova
Composer: Aaron Gilmartin
Sound Design:

Cast: Lily Resto, LaChanze, Martin Sola, Barbara Jimenez

Contact: Christopher Abeel, ca2624@columbia.edu

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Production Grant

About the Director

Nic Yulo is a writer/director based in New York City. Originally from the Philippines, she was awarded an Adobe Design Achievement Award for Film & Video, and is a former New York Women in Film & Television Scholarship Awardee. Her short script Changelings was a finalist at the BlueCat Screenplay Competition and her most recent film Horizon won a Breaking Barriers Award for Female Filmmakers.

About the Writer/Producer

Christopher Abeel is New York born and New Jersey raised. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and an MFA in Film from Columbia University. Christopher's work has been recognized by the Austin Film Festival, The Sundance Labs Programs, Sloan Science & Film, and the Tribeca Film Institute. He currently resides in New York City with his wife and their two dogs.