As foster child from a working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, thirteen-year-old Sam has a lot on his plate. Counting the days until his older brother is released from prison, Sam is charged with caring for his foster mother who is going blind. He and his gang cut school and imagine making a better life for themselves. Strapped for cash, they steal video cameras from New York City tourists. While the rest are content to simply pawn the stolen goods for spending money, Sam secretly keeps the tapes. Watching the footage in the privacy of his bedroom, he lives vicariously through the happiness of others and the distant locations of their travels. He longs to see the world for himself. With the money from the equipment, Sam hopes to be able to save enough money to visit his father who has escaped to Alaska.

Sam faces a moral test when a misanthropic probation officer with a hidden grudge pays him to follow a possibly demented street prophet. When the old man commits suicide and leaves behind a video recording of the last few minutes of his life, Sam and his friends set out to find the answers to his sudden death.

Originally titled "Superheroes," THE SPEED OF LIFE builds around the idea of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Elements of fantasy and gritty realism interplay, while multiple shooting formats lend the film a distinctly “indie” feel. The layered narrative and eclectic band of characters create an altogether engrossing story.

Director Ed Radtke will be in attendance.

Join us for the M.A.T.H. Club's Centerpiece Afterparty.