Jennifer Maytorena Taylor

Movies

For The Love of Rutland
Producer
In 2016, Stacie is barely scraping by in the small city of Rutland, Vermont. Manufacturing jobs have moved out, the opioid crisis has moved in and the working poor are at their breaking point. Stacie collects bottles to stretch her husband’s unemployment benefits, while she raises her kids and keeps herself off heroin. So when Rutland’s mayor takes the controversial step of accepting 100 Syrian refugees as part of his economic diversification plan, Stacie is torn. With so few jobs and government resources available to the people who already live there, residents begin to split along xenophobic and compassionate lines. Invalidated all her life for her poverty and addiction, Stacie could just as easily succumb to the white rage that crystallizes around her as identify with the intense daily struggles she shares with the incoming refugees. Nuanced and passionate, this fascinating look at a town divided reveals an unlikely hero caught in a flashpoint of Trump’s America.
For The Love of Rutland
Director
In 2016, Stacie is barely scraping by in the small city of Rutland, Vermont. Manufacturing jobs have moved out, the opioid crisis has moved in and the working poor are at their breaking point. Stacie collects bottles to stretch her husband’s unemployment benefits, while she raises her kids and keeps herself off heroin. So when Rutland’s mayor takes the controversial step of accepting 100 Syrian refugees as part of his economic diversification plan, Stacie is torn. With so few jobs and government resources available to the people who already live there, residents begin to split along xenophobic and compassionate lines. Invalidated all her life for her poverty and addiction, Stacie could just as easily succumb to the white rage that crystallizes around her as identify with the intense daily struggles she shares with the incoming refugees. Nuanced and passionate, this fascinating look at a town divided reveals an unlikely hero caught in a flashpoint of Trump’s America.
Redneck Muslim
Director
The short film Redneck Muslim explores the life and work of Shane Atkinson, a hospital chaplain in-training at North Carolina's biggest trauma center and founder of the on-line group the 'Society of Islamic Rednecks.' A 45-year old, white "good old boy" from Mississippi who converted to Islam in 1999, Shane is exploring ways to honor his Southern heritage while also challenging white supremacy.
Daisy and Max
Director
Daisy Gomez is a family counselor in South L.A. married to Max, a gang interventionist. They have a baby daughter, Sarah. They are doing what they can to reduce violence in their troubled neighborhood. But one night, Max is arrested in an FBI and LAPD raid. He faces an extended prison term. County social services take charge of the child. How can Daisy prove her innocence and regain custody of her baby?
New Muslim Cool
Producer
Puerto Rican American rapper Hamza Pérez ended his life as a drug dealer 12 years ago, and started down a new path as a young Muslim. Now he's moved to Pittsburgh's tough North Side to start a new religious community, rebuild his shattered family, and take his message of faith to other young people through his uncompromising music as part of the hip-hop duo M-Team.
New Muslim Cool
Director
Puerto Rican American rapper Hamza Pérez ended his life as a drug dealer 12 years ago, and started down a new path as a young Muslim. Now he's moved to Pittsburgh's tough North Side to start a new religious community, rebuild his shattered family, and take his message of faith to other young people through his uncompromising music as part of the hip-hop duo M-Team.
Divided Loyalties
Co-Producer
Fractured into a Turkish North and a Greek South, the island of Cyprus is divided by ethnicity, faith and land. through a tragic modern history, this island, historically shared by Greek-Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, now llies desecrated and divided. This documentary explores diaspora identity and national identity of immigrants and exiles through their bittersweet memories of the lost homeland.
Great Dykes of Holland
Director
A saccharine tune from the ’50's Mickey Mouse Club is transformed into a wild samba celebration of contemporary lesbian expression.