'The Alibi'

How director David Chrzanowski brought his unconventional childhood to the screen

I remember the first time I met David Chrzanowski. I was struck by his passion for his filmmaking craft and the authenticity he possessed as an artist. I was immediately drawn in after the first read of The Alibi, his inaugural short film about his childhood fictionalized through the lens of Alex, a young boy assisting his dad in various drugs deals. Audiences will be captivated to say the least. False Dice Picture’s 2024 release co-produced by Penalty, The Alibi is a deeply fascinating tale as well as tragic. We had director David Chrzanowski’s detail his thoughts about his upcoming release:

“My father’s job for many years involved drug trafficking on a large scale; moving kilos of cocaine, bales of marijuana, or other illegal drugs from Detroit, Michigan across the river by speedboat, or over the Ambassador Bridge in a fully loaded station wagon, into Windsor, Canada. I guess you could say he was the ‘Midwest representative of homeopathic remedies for the mafia. Occasionally he used me as a decoy/mule to assist him in the business. This story, The Alibi, is just one day in that life. For me this was how I connected with my dad, and it was…. fun.

For better or worse, we are shaped by our relationship with our parents and I believe that our relationship with them forms our earliest needs and desires. It starts with communication, a base 'need' to be sure. The need to communicate, to feel acceptance, the desire to feel love from family, what we're taught is the shelter from a storm.  But this voyage is never without some sort of risk. 

The Alibi follows one moment in time, one afternoon through the eyes of our protagonist, Alex, as he navigates his formative years with his unconventional father. In this place not of his own choosing Alex is reaching out in darkness, hoping for a lifeline from his dad, one that he can hold close to.”

David Chrzanowski (director/writer) is a Los Angeles based emerging film director. David's interest in storytelling revolves around generational traumas and the invisible bonds that families grapple with. He recently directed episode #8, Terror at 40,000 Wreaths for Burnt Orange Media. David has extensive directing credits on stage, most recently Mr. Burn's, A Post-Electric Play, in partnership with The William Inge Festival in Independence, KS. Now, with his recently formed company, False Dice Pictures, co-founded with his partner Allison Sanchez, David hopes to give voice to stories and creatives who haven't traditionally had the odds of succeeding in Hollywood on their side. He is represented by Shirley Hamilton Agency (Chicago).

The Alibi will premiere in 2024.