// Presented as part of July's American Indie III Series //

Rick Alverson / 2011, Rotterdam, CPH:PIX, Durbam, Leeds, Sarasota, SXSW / 94'

Sean is an Irish immigrant just returned to the United States, having completed a tour of military service in Afghanistan. He is disoriented, distraught, and having trouble adjusting to his new life, reeling from unseen scars. To ease his solitude, Sean befriends Ike, an Evangelican Christian who seeks to lead Sean on a path to peace and redemption. Soon enough companionship leads to codependency, with neither knowing what will come of Sean's spiritual transformation.

Shot in a cinéma vérité style and with galvanizing performances from its two leads, New Jerusalem examines the contours of male friendship and modern utopian belief within a rarely explored milieu of American society. Rick Alverson's second feature premiered at Rotterdam, SXSW, Sarasota, and CPH:PIX.