1920's Cincinnati, Ohio. After losing her husband unexpectedly, a resourceful young widow delves into the dangerous world of the Jewish mafia to support her family.
Esther, “Estie” is a young Jewish woman who prides herself on her simple life: great friends, the perfect marriage and two adorable daughters. When her politician husband, Max, unexpectedly passes away before his next big election, a dark secrets emerges: He owed money to the Jewish mafia.
Newly widowed, and putting on the perfect shiva (funeral), she notices a charming man watching her from across the room. Did her mother "Bunny" bring a suitor to her husbands shiva? Or is it in her head? As Estie steps away from the party briefly, she finds herself cornered with a gun to her head. Turns out the mysterious man is: Isaac. He's turned up to settle Max's debt of $3,000 (almost $56k today).
After pleading, she's given one week. What is a young, resourceful widow to do in an era where stores can post: “no dogs, no blacks, no Jews”? With some light identity fraud (a less Jewish name) and flirting, Estie secures a gig as a secretary...but, her first check won’t come so enough.
Isaac turns up at her door for the cash offering a new proposition: become a drug muel.
Schlepping bottles of bathtub gin disguised as beauty products introduces world of outcasts: lesbian underground clubs, and speakeasy's.With nosy friends, and a policeman brother a dangerous games of cat-and-mouse ensue.
Estie to like the power this new life is starting to provide, and begins to explore new sides of herself.
Exploring the themes of resilience with off-beat humor and witty banter, MOTHER OF VICE explores what it means to break free from a world defined by relationships.
Emily Lerer: Directors Guild of Canada -nominated, award-winning director (Oscar-qualifying Out On Film, Newfest) raised by a special education teacher and synagogue leader in the midwest, where 62 foot tall “Touchdown Jesus” loomed by the highway. Her work explores the messiness of femininity through dramedies and genre-bending stories.
Selected as “Comcast Rising Voices in Indie Film”, her films screened Oscar- and Canadian Screen award-qualifying festivals including: Hollyshorts, Cinequest and Fantasia, where she served on the jury. Her debut feature "Omi" is in festival submissions. Television credits include: "Shameless", "Twenties", and "Pretty Little Liars-Original Sin".
An alum of Sundance Directing TV Collab, AWD Lab, and AFI Directing course, she’s a member of Array Crew, TV Academy, WIF and Producers Guild of America.
Page International Screenwriting Awards - Quarterfinalist
Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition - Second Rounder
