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Max Hechtman
  • HOME
  • DEMO REEL
  • WORK
    • NARRATIVE
    • DOCUMENTARY
    • COMMERCIAL
    • MUSIC VIDEOS
    • OTHER WORK
  • PRESS ROOM
  • CONTACT

Abigail

2019, Narrative Short

A lonely and elderly widower struggles to come to terms with the loss of his wife and the circumstances surrounding her death. When he visits her grave, he encounters a little girl who shows him the path to healing and fills him with hope.


Inspired by a true story, "Abigail" addresses the topics of grief, loss and the complicated topic of end-of-life decisions, and the unique challenges it poses on relationships and family dynamics.


Winner of the Audience Award at the 2020 Long Island International Film Expo and Best Film at the 2021 Point Lookout Film Festival, this narrative short was produced as Hechtman's senior thesis film for the completion of his Bachelor's Degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology's Film and Media Program.


IMDb Page | Official Facebook Page | Official Instagram Page

Cast & Credits

RICHIE ALLAN ("Escape at Dannemora") as Elmer

ELVIRA TORTORA as Abigail

LAUREN HART as Woman at Cemetery

LEILANI MARIE VASQUEZ as The Girl


Directors/Producers: MAX HECHTMAN and CHRISTONIKOS TSALIKIS

Screenplay: JASON K. ALLEN, MAX HECHTMAN and MERYL HECHTMAN

Original Story: JASON K. ALLEN

Executive Producer: MERYL HECHTMAN

Cinematographers: JOE DANIELE and JOE DeFELICE

Editor: MAX HECHTMAN

Music: ANDRÉS SOTO

Go to the film's official site

DIRECTORS' STATEMENT

Although we made this back in 2019, we believe that this film is so important because it facilitates the complicated and difficult subjects of illness, grief and loss - topics that are more relevant today than ever before, given the millions of families worldwide who have experienced catastrophic illness and death of loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Through the endearing relationship of Elmer and his beloved Abigail, we are prompted to ask ourselves important and uncomfortable questions about expressing our wishes regarding medical treatment and end of life, while we’re in a position to do so. Through Elmer’s grieving process, we also discover how the path to acceptance and moving forward, often comes from the memories, traditions and secrets of those who we have lost.

​

It is our hope that this film opens the door for conversations for anyone facing this adversity in their life.

​

- Max Hechtman and Christonikos Tsalikis

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

"Hang Onto Your Shorts!" Film Festival (2021)

Best Drama - NOMINATED

Point Lookout Film Festival (2021)

Best Film - WON

Best Local Film - NOMINATED

Best Director - NOMINATED

Best Actor - NOMINATED

Best Produced Script - NOMINATED

Best Cinematography - NOMINATED

Long Island International Film Expo (2020)

Audience Award - WON

Best Short Film - NOMINATED

Best Long Island Short Film - NOMINATED

Best Director - NOMINATED

Stage 32 5th Annual Short Film Contest (2020)

Quarterfinalist - WON

FILM STILLS

Richie Allan as Elmer

    BEHIND THE SCENES

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