Filmmaker Statement

“Cut Off” began as a late-night chat between two old camp friends. We found ourselves diving into the minutiae of our lives—dating, careers, and unrealized ambitions. We wanted to capture the feeling of what we were navigating in our late 20s, rooted in Jewish culture and traditions, and grounded in laughter. A bris felt like the perfect setting. It’s the ultimate absurd place to combine a romantic meltdown with a celebration of new life. Making this film was a labor of love, made possible by a team that believed in authentic representation and supported us as first-time filmmakers. Though it’s steeped in Jewish culture, the themes of this film are universal: growing up, feeling behind, and realizing that living for yourself is the only way forward. More than anything, we wanted to make people laugh. In dark times, thirteen minutes of light can mean everything.