For the Taking (2023)

It's the first of the month, and grocery clerk Victor Molina just got furloughed. Already skidding on overdraft fees and the tapped-out support of his friends and family, he turns to an odd new acquaintance to help buy himself time before his rent check gets cashed. But barely a day later, Victor ends up getting blackmailed by his shady and powerful landlord into robbing a mysterious and lavish country estate. In less than a week, Victor has to mastermind a daring heist, unravel a real estate scheme, and somehow inspire confidence in those close to him in order to get his life back on track. Shot on 16mm film over a muggy 2 weeks in Charlottesville, VA with a motley mix of talent both new and seasoned, FOR THE TAKING is a shifting collage inspired by classic crime capers, neo-realism, anime, and silent film, all propelled by the gutsy spirit of community theatre.