Justin Lin is set to direct a drama film based on “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail”, a documentary on an immigrant family’s battle for justice.
The documentary, screened at the Toronto Film Festival in 2016, centers on the Sung family who owned the Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Manhattan’s Chinatown — the only bank prosecuted after the 2008 mortgage crisis that crippled the global economy.
As federal prosecutors pursued Abacus for mortgage fraud, the Sungs found themselves protecting their business in a legal showdown that spanned five years.
“This is a quintessential American story told from a point of view that is rarely seen on screen. The Sung family’s collective act of courage needs to be told, especially now,” said Lin, according to Deadline.
“Abacus” founder Thomas Sung is equally glad about the prospect:
“We are pleased that this story will have a chance to reach an even wider audience. For us, this was never just the story of our family bank. It’s a cautionary tale about the larger struggle for justice in our community.”
On top of directing, Lin is producing the movie with “Abacus” producer Mark Mitten, Mary Lee, Ernesto Foronda and Elizabeth Urwin, as per The Wrap. Kenneth Lin (“House of Cards”) is writing the script, Julie Goldman is co-producing and “Abacus” director Steve James is serving as executive producer.
Lin is currently on a tight schedule. According to Flickering Myth, he is working on “Space Jam 2”, “Hot Wheels” and a “Shaolin Temple” remake, including TV series “Warrior” and “S.W.A.T.”
Lin, repped by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, is best known for directing “Better Luck Tomorrow”, “The Fast and the Furious” movies (3-6) and “Star Trek Beyond”.
Featured Image (Cropped) via Flickr / Dick Thomas Johnson (CC BY 2.0)
