Justice

Newport Beach, California, early morning. Benjamin (25), a rich and successful young man, goes jogging through the quiet streets of his new hometown.
At the same time, the mysterious transient Winston (50), walks along a deserted beach.

Benjamin and Winston arrive at the same bench on the shore. Jasmine (24), Benjamin's pregnant wife, sits at the bench with their dog, Max.

From the conversation between Benjamin and Jasmine, Winston realizes that the young couple is going to a dog show and their dog needs to be groomed, but groomer is not answering their calls.

Benjamin runs to the parking lot to call a new groomer.

Winston approaches the lonely Jasmine, and strikes up a conversation. He offers to groom their dog, revealing a pair of scissors. Jasmine is alarmed. An annoyed Winston walks away, towards the parking lot.

Jasmine calls Benjamin to warn him about the man with the pair of scissors.
Benjamin starts the car to go pick up Jasmine, but when he starts backing out of the spot, he feels a bump. He gets out of the car and sees Winston lying behind the wheels. Benjamin calls the police and his lawyer.

Suddenly Winston gets up, theatrically groans and starts calling for the police. Benjamin wants to solve the problem and offers Winston money. Winston is angry that his life was valued so low, and snatches the wallet out of Benjamin’s hands. He starts to run away, but Benjamin quickly catches up with him.

At this moment, Jasmine, with Max, comes running to the car spot. She sees the altercation between Benjamin and Winston. Winston asks Benjamin to let him go, but Benjamin doesn't want to give up his wallet. He grabs Winston to take the wallet back, but Winston stabs Benjamin in the neck with the scissors.

Winston runs away, and Benjamin dies in front of his pregnant wife. The cops that Benjamin called finally arrive, but it's too late.
Time passes. Jasmine mourns her husband in the mausoleum, and Winston sits unharmed in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard with a cheeky grin. Next to him sits a dog and a cardboard sign: Dog Grooming.

  • iurii Sumaneev
    Director
  • iurii Sumaneev
    Writer
  • iurii Sumaneev
    Producer
  • Kate Surinskaya
    Producer
  • Matthew Edmonds
    Key Cast
    "Benjamin"
  • William Sibley
    Key Cast
    "Winston"
  • Ksenie Kolbas
    Key Cast
    "Jasmine"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Drama, Action, CRIME DRAMA, THRILLER, social drama
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - New York Film Academy (NYFA)
Director Biography - iurii Sumaneev

I was born in the heart of Russia. I have three higher educations: a nuclear physicist, a writer and a film director. Working as an international journalist, I visited more than 60 countries. I've had different periods in my life, ups and downs, I've been at the top and at the bottom of life. There are people everywhere with interesting stories that I want to tell the world.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I believe that the main problems today is the problem of social inequality and injustice based on that. I was born in poor Russian family in the late 80s. These times my country was ruled by thieves and bandits. The situation is better now, but this problem has not gone away, it is only growing with every economic crisis, with every revolution, with every pandemic, with every war. The poor get poorer, the rich get richer.

Moving in the US, in California, I faced with the problem of social inequality in another way: the army of homeless, who lives in tents along the streets in fact do not have the opportunity to integrate themselves into society due to big competition with immigrants and high requirements. The government gives them a dole, but it’s disservice because they become lazy and spend all these money for alcohol and drugs.

The current instrument of inequality is money. It does not depend on the country, religion, skin color and origin.