Private Project

Cowboy Killer

In a surreal rendition of Brooklyn, young Sue, the only child of his financially struggling mother June, finds solace in spaghetti westerns, using them as a reprieve from his oppressive reality under the thumb of Randy S. Martin, their brutal Slumlord.

Each day more fateful than the last, once again Randy makes an unwelcome appearance. With every heavy footstep and cruel smirk, he reminds June and Sue of their subservience. Sue’s only act of defiance is drowning out Randy's threats by diving into his favorite western flick.

A decade later, the intimidation hasn't waned. Now a teenager, Sue's escapist fantasies grow more intense. But escapism is no longer enough. Fueled by scenes of frontier justice, he dreams of a world where he's no longer the victim, but the revenge — the "Cowboy Killer."

As reality and fantasy blur, Sue's newfound courage brings him face to face with Randy at a dilapidated warehouse. But when the dust settles from their confrontation, it's June who confronts her demons.

  • Luke Pakter
    Director
    Pioneers of Jiu-Jitsu, 2019, documentary Till Justice, 2022, documentary
  • Dave Morrissey Jr.
    Producer
    ACTOR (Principal Credits): Mr. Robot, American Horror Story, Law & Order: Organized Crime, FBI, Late Night w Stephen Colbert, Dr. Death. PRODUCER: Now Again, The Most Dangerous Man, One Life to Give, Civil Defense: Red Rover (Paris Film Awards, Best Producer)
  • Jackie Miller
    Producer
  • Husani Blaze
    Producer
  • William Toussaint
    Producer
  • Shanel Dawson
    Producer
  • Meicen Meng
    Producer
  • Darryn "Syckphattight" Smith
    Producer
  • Cristian Delvalle Caicedo
    Producer
  • Eli Massilon
    Producer
  • Danny Olabi
    Key Cast
    "Sue"
    Blue Bloods, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Blacklist, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Tiktok follwers 2m
  • Wadiah Waliah
    Key Cast
    "June"
  • Michael Turner
    Key Cast
    Bull, Godfather of Harlem, Borderlands, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Walker Texas Ranger
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Western, Psychological Thriller, Urban
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 6, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    18,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Multiple
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Luke Pakter

LUKE PAKTER,
Director & Creator

Luke Pakter is a fervent advocate for societal and structural change, deeply influenced by his early years of grassroots organizing in Harlem and Poughkeepsie. His portfolio fluidly combines documentary and narrative styles to shed light on social inequities. He aims to bridge empathetic understanding through storytelling, emphasizing that every voice holds significance and deserves to be heard. Among his notable works are the documentation of Sudanese freedom fighters in Nairobi, capturing the fortitude of communities in the Mississippi Delta, and an upcoming project in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh, focusing on the intertwined narratives of Armenians and Azerbaijanis caught in the complexities of identity and conflict.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Pakter reflects on the contemporary urban landscape: "Post-pandemic New York City has witnessed a tightened grip on housing, with landlords wielding even more pronounced power over tenants. Through Danny and Wadiah's poignant portrayal of Sue & June, the anguish of countless New Yorkers wrestling with similar burdens is viscerally captured. Historically, NYC's antagonists in cinema have been cast as mobsters or otherworldly adversaries. Yet, the true, unembellished villains haunting its streets today are the slumlords. 'Cowboy Killer' seeks to unveil this harsh truth while delivering an engaging cinematic experience."