Abacus: Small Enough to Jail backdrop

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail

2017·Documentary·1h 28m
7.1
The incredible saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Abacus becomes the only U.S. bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The indictment and subsequent trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves – and their bank’s legacy in the Chinatown community – over the course of a five-year legal battle.
Directed by Steve James
bank

Crew

Steve James
Steve James
Director
Tom Bergmann
Tom Bergmann
Director of Photography
Julie Goldman
Julie Goldman
Producer

Popular Reviews

13 reviews
Npu
Npu
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Compellingly made doc about the Abacus Federal Savings Bank and the trial against it by the New York District Attorney’s office. It’s a little too sanctimonious, and it’s most interesting parts are the moral grey area discussions on what constitutes a gift declaration from a legal versus cultural standpoint. Still this doc by the great Steve James stirred my Asian-American heart and I wish the Sung family the best as they continue to passionately serve their community, even though not everyone they meet is going to share their altruism as seen by dipshits like Ken Yu.

Also, props to Cyrus Vance for even showing up to be interviewed but he can, like, suck it.
Compellingly made doc about the Abacus Federal Savings Bank and the trial against it by the New York District Attorney’s office. It’s a little too sanctimonious, and it’s most interesting parts are the moral grey area discussions on what constitutes a gift declaration from a legal versus cultural standpoint. Still this doc by the great Steve James stirred my Asian-American heart and I wish the Sung family the best as they continue to passionately serve their community, even though not everyone they meet is going to share their altruism as seen by dipshits like Ken Yu.

Also, props to Cyrus Vance for even showing up to be interviewed but he can, like, suck it.
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Simon Li
Simon Li
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Entire movie reminded me of a big ol family dinner at my parents house
Entire movie reminded me of a big ol family dinner at my parents house
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jenny nulf
jenny nulf
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Stacked with information (an overwhelmingly, repetitive amount), but the family dynamics displayed were lovely.
Stacked with information (an overwhelmingly, repetitive amount), but the family dynamics displayed were lovely.
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shouldvebeenme
shouldvebeenmePRO
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
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Jacob Dickens
Jacob Dickens
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
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