Bound (2023 film)

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2023 American film

Bound

Directed by| Isaac Hirotsu Woofter
Written by| Isaac Hirotsu Woofter
Produced by|

* Isaac Hirotsu Woofter
* Tom & Akemi Woofter
* Gil Elbaz
* David Robert Fulkerson
* Ramin Karimloo
* Tom Kelly
* Mark Allen Kincer
* Ashwin Kulkarni
* Lauren Legacki
* Nelda Law
* Alexandra Faye Sadeghian
* Daniel & Robert Woofter
* Ronald Woofter
* Tim & Joni Woofter
* Tom X

Cinematography|

* Maximillan Lewin
* Jake Simpson

Edited by| Kristian Otero
Music by| Ethan Startzman

Production
company

* Paralysis Productions

Release date

* December 3, 2023 (2023-12-03) (Dances with Films)

Running time

| 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 on 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]

The story takes place in and around New York City,[6] but most of the filming took place in New Jersey.

## Synopsis

[edit]

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

[edit]

The ensemble is made up mostly of diverse veteran stage actors,[7] including 5 Broadway performers; Karimloo,[8] Carroll[9], Tewari[10], Woofter, Mohseni[11] (who makes her Broadway debut in 2025),[12] and Bandit,[13] a live flying squirrel (aka sugar glider).

* Ramin Karimloo[14] as Owais
* Jessica Pimentel[15] as Marta
* Bryant Carroll[16] as Gordy
* Pooya Mohseni[17] as Yeva
* Alexandra Faye Sadeghian as Bella
* Jaye Alexander[18] as Standrick
* Josh Alscher[19] as Donnie
* Alok Tewari[20] as Shoaib
* Miguel Izaguirre as Cesar
* Ethan Herschenfeld as Tariq
* Bandit[21] as Bandit

## Reviews

[edit]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Bound has an 91% approval rating, based on eleven reviews.[22]

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."[23]

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."[24]

Vague Visages's 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."[25]

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."[26]

## Festival run and awards

[edit]

Bound had its 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 Premiere  | Nov 30, Dec 2, 2023[27] | Grand Jury (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Dances with Films: LA  | West Coast Premiere  | Jun 22, 2024[28] | Grand Jury (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Northeast Film Festival | New Jersey Premiere  | Sept 7, 2024[29] | Best Film (win), Audience Choice (win), Best Actress (win), Best Director (nom), Best Supporting Actress (nom)[30]
Breck Film Fest | Colorado Premiere  | Sept 20, 2024[31] | Best Ensemble (win), Best Screenplay (nom)[32]
Newport Beach Film Festival | Newport Premiere  | Oct 18, 2024[33] | Grand Jury (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Shockfest Film Festival |  |  | Honorable Mention (win) [34]
Bahamas International Film Festival | International Premiere  | Nov 16, 2024[35] | Best Actress (win), Best Feature (nom)[36]
Meliora Film Fest |  | Nov 16, 2024[37] | Grand Prize (win), Best Feature (win), Best Director (win), Best Ensemble (win), Best Screenplay (win), Best Actress (nom), Best Supporting Actor x2 (nom), Best Song (nom)
Big Apple Film Festival |  | Nov 20, 2024[38] | Best Feature Film (nom)[39]
SF Indie Fest | San Francisco Premiere  | Feb 8, 2025[40] | Best Film (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Santa Fe Film Festival | New Mexico Premiere  | Feb 19, 2025  | Best Dramatic Feature (nom), Best First Time Director (nom), Best Ensemble (nom), Best Actor X2 (nom), Best Screenplay (nom), Cinematography (nom), Best Sound (nom), Best Editor (nom)
Beaufort International Film Festival | South Carolina Premiere  | Feb 21, 2025  | Best Film (nom), Best Director (nom), Best Ensemble (nom), Best Actress (nom), Best Score/Soundtrack (nom), Audience Award (nom)
Phoenix Film Festival  | Arizona Premiere  | Mar 28, 30, Apr 3, 2025  | Audience Award (nom)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Isaac Woofter Broadway debut". Playbill. April 14, 2011.
2. ^ Papadatos, Markos (2024-03-22). "Chatting with Isaac Hirotsu Woofter: Filmmaker, screenwriter, and director". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
3. ^ "Bound – Feature Film Review – Indy Reviews". 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
4. ^ Hoy Sale Cine (2024-02-05). BOUND - Review | #GetThatMovie by HSC. Retrieved 2024-07-28 - via YouTube.
5. ^ film-authority.com (2024-04-06). "Bound". film-authority.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
6. ^ Knox-Smith, Michael (2024-04-04). "Bound (2023) Debut Film Touches the Heart". Mikes Film Talk. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
7. ^ Propes, Richard (March 16, 2024). "Bound Review". The Independent Critic.
8. ^ "Ramin Karimloo Performer". Playbill. March 23, 2014.
9. ^ Rebecca, Film Carnage- (2024-07-01). "Review: Bound". FilmCarnage.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
10. ^ "Indie Film Review "Bound" – One Film Fan". 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
11. ^ "Bound Review | Film Reviews". UK Film Review. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
12. ^ Rigsbee, Valerie. "Broadway Play Home - English". broadwayplayhome.com. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
13. ^ "BOUND – Dennis Schwartz Reviews". 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
14. ^ Papadatos, Markos (2024-03-22). "Ramin Karimloo talks about 'Bound' and 'Funny Girl' on Broadway". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
15. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 14, 2022). "Dominic Fumusa, Abigail Hawk, and Jessica Pimentel Star in Jasper". Playbill.
16. ^ "Bryant Carroll Performer". Playbill. October 22, 1998.
17. ^ Gershonowitz, Heather (February 12, 2022). "Look Inside Atlantic Theater Company Premiere of Sanaz Toossi's English". Playbill.
18. ^ Putnam, Leah (June 23, 2022). "Marla Mindelle Stars as Céline Dion in Titanique Musical Parody". Playbill.
19. ^ Hall, Margaret (November 9, 2023). "Ode to the Wasp Woman Opens Off-Broadway". Playbill.
20. ^ "Alok Tewari Performer". Playbill. November 9, 2017.
21. ^ "BOUND – Take 2 Indie Review". Retrieved 2024-07-28.
22. ^ "Bound (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
23. ^ Kotecha, Ronak (March 2, 2024). "Review of Bound: Rejoice watching a crime-infested family spawn an unlikely heroine". ReviewRon.
24. ^ Asankomah, Tony (2024-02-04). "Movie Review: A Deep Dive into Isaac Hirotsu Woofter's Indie Drama "Bound"". GhMovieFreak. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
25. ^ Hough, Q. V. (2024-05-24). "Review: Isaac Hirotsu Woofter's 'Bound'". Vague Visages. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
26. ^ "Bound Featured, Reviews Film Threat". 2024-02-11. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
27. ^ arnewsteam (2023-12-08). "2nd Annual Dances With Films: NY Announces Filmmaker Awards". Awards Radar. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
28. ^ "Dances With Films: LA Exciting 2024 Lineup Includes Paper Flowers and Max Dagan". www.moviemaker.com. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
29. ^ "Northeast Film Festival - Saturday, Sep 07, 2024 - Teaneck, NJ | Best Local Things". bestlocalthings.com. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
30. ^ "2024 Winners". Northeast Film Festival. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
31. ^ "2024 Breck Film Fest". breckfilmfest.eventive.org. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
32. ^ "Breck Film Festival 2024". Breck Film | Eclipse Theater. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
33. ^ "Newport Beach Film Festival 2024". nbff2024.eventive.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
34. ^ "Award Winners 2024". Paraculticon. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
35. ^ "The Festival : Bound : Bahamas International Film Festival". www.bintlfilmfest.com. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
36. ^ "The Festival : Bound : Bahamas International Film Festival". www.bintlfilmfest.com. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
37. ^ "Meliora International Film Festival – Celebrating Movies That Are Making The World A Better Place". Retrieved 2024-10-26.
38. ^ "2024 Big Apple Film Festival (Fall Edition)". bafffall2024.eventive.org. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
39. ^ Festival, Big Apple Film (2024-12-09). "Fall 2024 Award Nominations". Big Apple Film Festi. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
40. ^ "Bound". San Francisco IndieFest 2025. Retrieved 2025-01-08.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Bound at IMDb
* Bound Rotten Tomatoes Pages