Filmmaker Statement

Hard Times was born out of my own battles with addiction, self-sabotage, and the absurd ways we cope with pain. As a comedian and Navy veteran, I’ve learned that laughter can be a lifeline, especially when dealing with the darkest corners of life. This film turns personal vices into living, breathing characters, blending surreal humor with raw emotion. By exaggerating addiction into a bizarre, almost cartoonish reality, I wanted to capture both the chaos and the comedy of being trapped in destructive cycles. The story is deeply personal, but it’s also universal—most of us wrestle with habits or thoughts that feel bigger than us. My hope is that Hard Times makes people laugh, makes them uncomfortable, and maybe even makes them feel seen. Comedy has always been my favorite way to connect, and with this film, I wanted to take that connection off the stage and onto the screen.