Local indie filmmaker’s work is finally being viewed

ELLEN BRAUNSTEIN

After 17 years, Seth Landau’s independent movies are finally being distributed worldwide and this Arizona filmmaker promises viewers laughter, suspense and a little Jewish introspection.

A wild comedy “Take Out” (2005) and a psychological thriller “Bryan Loves You” (2008) are now available on major streaming platforms and remastered HD for their 2022 releases. “Bryan Loves You” will also be out on Blu-ray.

“Take Out” is about a crusading newspaper reporter who takes down the fast-food industry. “Bryan Loves You” tackles the story of a cult and works as both a cautionary tale and classic horror film.

“Take Out” is shot entirely around metro Phoenix and features historic and iconic Arizona locations, including Dilly’s Deli, substituting as Shalom Bagel for the film. The 90-minute feature had a budget of only $13,000.

Landau, 45, said that “being the writer, director and co-lead, my Jewishness is interwoven throughout that comedy.”

There’s a scene in “Take Out,” featured in the trailer, where Landau’s character is flipping through a Jewish newspaper and interacting with his cousin (Brent Taylor), who doesn’t believe he is half Jewish. “My mom doesn’t believe in it. My dad says Jews are all cheap money grubbers. I hate Jews,” his cousin said while the two wait at the deli counter at Shalom Bagel. “Then I say, ‘Where are we? What restaurant? Shalom Bagel,’ his cousin replies. ‘You took us here,’ Landau shot back. ‘Shalom. Hebrew. Bagels. Jewish.”

New Camp For Preschoolers

There’s a new Jewish summer camp for ages 3-5 in Scottsdale