Gabi on the Roof in July

Running time: 99 mins

The last thing Sam needs to obscure his life is entertaining his hell-raising younger sister, Gabi, for the summer.

A portrait of young New York and the misguided hopefuls who can't afford to live there but do anyway, Gabi on the Roof in July is an ensemble comedy about ex-girlfriends, sibling rivalry and whipped cream in a city that's constantly in flux. Gabi, a rambunctious Oberlin undergrad, heads to New York City to spend the summer with her older brother, Sam, seeking solidarity in the wake of her parents? divorce. When she gets there, she finds Sam too busy juggling women and too irked by her provocative antics and almost constant nudity to give her the guidance she needs. In an effort to get Sam's attention, Gabi seduces his free-loving, freeloading college buddy, only to find she's in over her head.

Directors and lead actors Lawrence Levine (Territory, Cinequest 2005) and Sophia Takal infuse sensitivity, humor and naturalness into their characters, emanating a sibling authenticity. Add that to a sharply-written script by Levine and Kate Kirtz and Gabi on the Roof in July is one of the most electric films that you will see on the screen this year.