The result is The Crusaders, a modern love/crime story set in New York’s East Village. Featuring legendary actor Peter Greene — notorious for villainous roles in films like Pulp Fiction and The Mask — alongside Downtown icons like Sophia Lamar and newcomers like actress (and Jack Nicholson’s daughter) Tessa Gourin, the film’s two recent screenings, which felt more like a Hollywood premiere than a Downtown short, quickly sold out. "We've shown it twice, following it up with a party afterwards. It's a good time. There's a good buzz going on right now in the city. People here will have a couple more chances to see it in New York. Bands here play too often sometimes, the same fucking songs, but still it's fun. I'm taking this approach with the film. show a film, bring people together, then let’s party.”
We sat down with the new filmmaker to discuss taking on such a massive venture without any experience, how New York’s underbelly is always just at arm’s length and some of the craziest shit one encounters when running a tattoo shop on St. Marks.
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?
Growing up, my mom lived in Richmond, Virginia and my dad lived in Brooklyn a block up from Biggie's on St. James. Having both cities provided my sister and I the comfort that a slower city offers, and far thought which New York imparts. We grew up in Jackson Ward: "Harlem of the South," which is rich in southern Black culture. By the time I was old enough to walk around my neighborhood solo, Richmond hit a decade of being the most dangerous city in America. I saw crazy shit.
What've you learned living in New York?
I've been in New York for 16 years. If you're born here — not Jersey or Long Island — you have a whole crackpot of shit you have to live through. If you chose to live here, then you missed the boat and gotta catch up! There's an endless amount of knowledge and experience to gain here. You have to go to work. Then get to work again when you have a moment for yourself. I'm a selfish, impatient person and I live in the right place for that. This is a personality trait, choosing to live here. Choosing to deal with this shit? Well you have your bodega with Tylenol Maximum two blocks away, 24 hours a day, cocaine delivered to your couch if you roll like that, most types of food that the Earth has, and personally, I have a beautiful girlfriend from London. So it's cool. But then you get a sandwich at the deli and the tomatoes are a pale pink, almost clear. It’s wild here. The world gets smaller living in New York City. We're lucky to experience that.
I'm sure you meet all kinds of characters owning Fun City alone. Any good stories?
Couple months ago this young handsome guy walks in. Looked well to do. Wanted to tattoo panda eyes around his eyes. Ran his own business so we did it. A couple weeks ago his wife comes in and wants the same thing: big black panda eyes around her human eyes. She had a cute summer dress on. When she was done they were both super happy. Was some old St Mark's crazy shit. It’s rare these days, but it happens. Fun City is happy to make people happy.