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About ‘Dr. Sam’
artwork by Jordan Leal
Dr. Sam is an independent comedic short film that follows the journey of Sammy, a freshly unemployed millennial jazz singer who masquerades as a licensed therapist to pay his overdue rent. Here’s the deal—Sammy is overlooked by his boss, his barista, and even his therapist, for goodness sake! He’s overlooked in life. In Sammy’s pursuit of artistic expression, he just wants to be seen as a real artist—and get paid for doing what he loves! Is that so much to ask?!
Deeply believing that he’s worth what he wants, he convinces a stranger, Lily, in a coffee shop of the same thing when he collides with her mid-crisis. Feeling some semblance of relief, Lily assumes he’s a therapist and asks for a session. Seeing an opportunity to make the rent, he agrees. He manages to help Lily, but personally relates so much that she comments on his unprofessional practices, leading him to confess. Thankfully, she’s not scarred for life. *prayer hands emoji*
Writer/star Raji Ahsan and director Danielle Beckmann met over twelve years ago in New York City. While there, they lived well below the poverty line, turning to one another for the healing powers of comedy, and the occasional money for a coffee.
They watched their bank accounts drain to zero, ran from audition to audition, and worked their restaurant jobs, often treated as though they were invisible to those they were serving. Much like Sammy, they felt overlooked and undervalued at times.
Dr. Sam is for the people who are unsure about continuing to persevere in the pursuit of their dreams. This film exists to say: hold on, and keep going. You’re worth what you want.