John Marco Lopez
Paradise City
The worlds of a young cop with a checkered past, an ex-con turned devout Muslim, and a junkie with affluent roots collide in a plot to justify New York City's counter-terrorism campaign against homegrown extremists. Inspired by true events - three men from different walks of life find themselves targeted by a corrupt police apparatus and the dirty dealings of a nefarious dynastic family - both of whom look to exploit a vulnerable community through Fear, Xenophobia, and Force - for their own systemic & political gain. Ultimately, each man must confront his own demons through personal sacrifice, in search of spiritual redemption.
The Hudson Tribes
An upstate New York public school district is torn apart by corrupt politicians, racial divides, and escalating violence. After a prominent town leader is kidnapped, can a romantic connection between a young Hasidic man and a Hispanic woman bring this town together?