The past is never truly that far behind, especially when it involves family. One man comes face to face with these harsh truths in “The Birthday Cake.” Set among a gritty world of mafia life, this thriller pushes viewers to unravel mysteries while taking in its jarring reality.
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‘Cake’ marks Jimmy Giannopoulos’ directorial debut and adds to a resume built on musical pursuits. He’s better known as one half of LOLAWOLF, the other half being that of singer and actress Zoe Kravitz. Giannopoulos uses his experience to navigate sound design and the soundtrack itself. His work with Tim Sandusky creates an aesthetic that envelopes the characters as they reveal motivations. The result is a deliberate blend of sight and sound which highlights this new foray into film.
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The cast is stacked with talent. Shiloh Fernandez heads up the list and also gets a writing credit along with Giannopoulos and Diomedes Raul Bermudez. The number of top names on the project is eye-catching to say the least. Val Kilmer, Ewan McGregor, Paul Sorvino, William Fichtner, Aldis Hodge, and Clara McGregor all make appearances. This cross-section of personalities gives the overall project more depth as it helps to convey how complicated this cinematic setting truly is.
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Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
“Gio brings a cake to a memorial celebration for the 10th anniversary of his father’s mysterious death, hosted by his uncle (Kilmer), a Brooklyn mafia boss. His life begins to change as he pieces together what really happened to his father.”
Lorraine Bracco, Vincent Pastore, Luis Guzman, Ashley Benson, Jeremy Allen White, Emory Cohen, David Mazouz, John Magaro, Franky G, Jake Weary, and Tyler Dean Flores also star in “The Birthday Cake.” The film is scheduled for a 2021 release. Get your first look at the trailer now.