MINKOW Director Bruce Caulk Interview

mark Murphy : Please introduce how MINKOW the movie came to be after meeting Barry Jay Minkow.

Bruce Caulk : MINKOW started originally when a friend of mine wanted me to visit Barry Minkow
After meeting Barry, he knew he wanted to create a film. We agreed to work on a short film as a pilot for a television mini series and shot at Universal. My first introduction to MINKOW was titled, Redemption (IMDB Link).

Funny story too, because Barry himself wanted to be a big actor featured in this television series about the road to redemption alongside another big time actor. Of course, Barry was playing the lead all along.

MINKOW became a reality after filming originally ended in 2009 and he fell into more legal battles and bad habits.

We added much more to the story after obtaining the rights and continuing on with rewrites and new scripts 2 years ago. We wanted to tell the story in a new and creative way. Interestingly enough, or oddly enough, Barry Minkow was still defrauding, extorting stocks and stealing from his church at the time he was acting all along.

mark Murphy : “MINKOW.” Describe what immediately comes to mind when you hear that name.

Bruce Caulk : Redemption gone wrong– an unexpected filmmakers journey – Icarus.

mark Murphy : Please describe your personal journey and any major players/investors that lent their voice in telling the MINKOW story.

Bruce Caulk : The journey has proven to be an EKG of success and failures. Finishing my first film with a great cast and union crew was amazing. Finding out that Barry would be going back to prison shortly before premiering the film at the Berlin Film Festival/Market was a complete and utter let down.

Regrouping, re-scripting and fundraising certainly tested my persistence and commitment to my work as an artist. Obtaining completion funds from China was gratifying. Now that we’re shooting again, the reward is set into full motion, and onward to completion.

The amazing support from talent like Justin Baldoni, Talia Shire, Elizabeth Rohm and my my producing partner Nick Arthur has really kept me inspired. Everyone wants to see this film completed, and experience the truth about this true, to life con man. It’s an unbelievable story. (Above, James Caan).

Barry hurt a lot of people, and unfortunately was part of the collateral damage. However, riding out the storm really showed me a lot about my passion for filmmaking and getting this first one right. There has never been a “say die” attitude, and the process really awakened me. I am really amped, and grateful to everyone, cast, crew, writers, producers and the entire MINKOW team.


mark Murphy : What excites you most about the release of MINKOW to audiences this Fall besides the great accolade of accomplishment?

It’s exciting that we were able to tell the actual story without Barry Minkow returning to the third act as actor. (Want to see something funny, check out ZZZZBest commercial).


The ending is now very thought provoking. The audiences will see a compelling performance ay Justin Baldoni who’s career is taking off before our eyes, (Jane the Virgin), and then transition to the actual con man who steps in to play himself. It’s unique and interesting.


On top of that we’ve added Red’s “When Harry Met Sally” inspired commentary by some of the real victims and MINKOW’s business associates. These soulful interviews are woven into the fabric of the film. It’s heartfelt and introspective, asking the viewer to ask questions about redemption, trust in others and personal faith. I think this is a special touch that the audience will relate to.

Kind thanks to MINKOW director Bruce Caulk and the inspired exchange. Look out for the premiere of MINKOW at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival and Fall release. In the meantime, you can see more of Bruce Caulk’s directing and production work over at Intelliscape Films. “(Crazy, as I have a friend originally baptized by Barry Jay Minkow. Is that fake too?)” (Above: Talia Shire, Selena Gomez).