'I'm not stopping!' Jennifer Esposito loses home she mortgaged to finance Fresh Kills film
Fresh Kills filmmaker Jennifer Esposito has lost the home she mortgaged to finance her directorial debut, but the star has insisted she is "deeply proud" of herself and is "not stopping" making movies.
Jennifer Esposito has lost the home she mortgaged to finance her directorial debut film, Fresh Kills, but she is "deeply proud" of herself for following her dreams.
The 52-year-old actress wrote, directed and stars in the 2023 drama movie, and in 2024 the Summer of Sam star revealed she was so passionate about telling the story that she "produced it and paid for most of" it herself.
However, she has now taken to social media to share an emotional video about moving out of her home, in which she questioned why others didn't help to promote the motion picture.
She said in the video: "Yeah, I'm looking like a** right now because I've been crying because I'm moving out of my home that I mortgaged to make my film.
"And then have people who are in the spotlight not be able to just throw one back and say, ‘Hey, thanks, watch this film.’
"And then I said to myself, ‘You know what? Nobody owes anybody anything.'
"And then I thought, 'Do we? Do we as human beings?'
"Maybe that’s why we’re in this problem right now, where we are. I think actually, we do owe each other something.
"We owe each other decency as human beings. That’s what we owe each other."
The Boys star followed the video up with another one clarifying she isn't living in a car, and insisted she is "not stopping" being a filmmaker.
She said: "Listen, I'm not living in a car. The bank didn't take my house. I had to sell it.
"I want to be very clear. I'm so deeply proud of myself and I would do it again - not in that way, but betting on yourself is never wrong.
"I just wish art could be taken for art sake and viewed on its merit, but that's not the way things work.
"That's why it's so important for you to get behind independent films, because there are so many hurdles to get through.
"I didn't lose, I actually won because I know exactly what I can do as an artist and I'm not stopping.
"I don't need a house, I don't need big things. I don't care about being famous, I care about the work.
"I don't have any more houses to mortgage but I'm not stopping, so there's no shame and there's no more tears."
Jennifer also pointed people towards her new movie, Mary Rides The F Train, which she is raising funds for, for those who asked what they can do to help her out.
She wrote in the caption: "First and foremost- thank you. Overwhelmed by such support. Truly means the world to me. And to all of you who just found Fresh Kills and wrote me in tears, or joy or frustration as to just finding it- THIS is what matters to me- connection. That’s why artists do what they do and sometimes sacrifice everything to create it- human connection and expression. That alone is the reward. I’ll also say it again- I’D DO IT AGAIN- which side note - I was pushed to do after a horrible producer drove the film into the ground and I HAD to save it and my house made that possible. That’s what the tears were about- being forced to do something from someone’s else’s negligence. Again- I’d Do IT AGAIN. That’s how much I believe in freedom of speech and the power of storytelling. So you asked how to help- here it is, Mary Rides The F Train @maryridestheftrain my new film that I’m currently raising funds for. It’s kind, and funny and thought proving and just what’s needed at this moment in time. Link in bio to see how to get involved. Stories matter, from all- it’s our right as creators to make them and it’s your right as a human to be able to know about them and view them. Yes it’s that deep!!
And to all who say I inspired them- good- keep going!!! Never let the world, a situation, doubt or others tell you what you can and cannot do with your life and your art! Much love! Xxxx (sic)"
