I Like Killing Flies

In his feature debut, noted artist illustrator and video-director Mahurin celebrates one of his favorite restaurants – and ours – Shopin's, a Greenwich Village institution, much beloved by its loyal clientele for decades. With over 900 items on his menu, all conjured up in his Rube Goldberg-style kitchen the size of a walk-in closet, Kenny Shopsin is chef de cuisine and proprietor. When there is a lull in the cooking, he steps out from behind his Frankenstein stove and holds court, serving up morsels of wisdom and wit on life, death, sex, politics and even food. But, after 32 years in the same sheltered workshop, Kenny loses his lease and the family must now find a new location – a move vigorously supported both financially and logistically by customers who can't bear the thought of life without Shopsin's. Mahurin, himself one of the faithful, was asked to record the move for posterity, and what emerges is a hilarious and heartfelt hymn to individuality, independence, and idiosyncrasy – not just in the kitchen, but in life.

“An irresistible no-budget documentary.” ~ Lou Lumenick, New York Post

“As directed in aptly unfussy fashion by music- video vet Matt Mahurin, the movie itself is a curiously tasty dish, one that could leave even a vegan with a burning desire to sample Shopsin's lamb chops.” ~ Rob Nelson, Village Voice

“The central figure in this exuberant documentary, a committed Freudian who probably would've tossed Freud himself out had he looked at him sideways, spouts one gem after another.” Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

“... an unabashedly home-cooked homage to New York eccentricity.” Liza Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

“Anyone who laments the loss of an older, grittier New York ought to adore this affectionate portrait of Greenwich Village restaurant owner Kenny Shopsin.” ~ Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Check out http://www.shopsins.com/ for Shopsin’s epic menu, as well as the house rules.