Nonfiction Unlimited, a commercial production company that represents accomplished documentary directors, has added Jason Benjamin to its roster. Benjamin’s first documentary feature Suited was selected for screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and aired this summer on HBO. The film was produced by Lena Dunham and Jenni Koner, the creators and producers of the award-winning HBO show Girls.
Suited is about the bespoke tailors at the Brooklyn-based Bindle & Keep, whose clientele include a diverse LGBTQ community. The film introduces viewers to clothiers Rae and Daniel who take a holistic approach to their work as they fit a fascinating and unique ensemble of customers. The documentary explores how the need for well-fitting garments represents deeper meaning around identity, empowerment, and feeling good.
Benjamin also recently directed “In Conversation,” a series of social videos for Gemfields featuring fashion and make-up bloggers Amanda Steele, Ciprianna Quan and Chriselle Lim that launched last week on Made to Measure or M2M, an online fashion video network also carried on iOS, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Xbox.
“Jason tells real stories with intelligence and cinematic clarity, drawing viewers into authentic emotional experiences,” said Loretta Jeneski, partner and executive producer at Nonfiction. “We’re thrilled to be introducing him to the world of commercials.”
Benjamin related, “Documentary filmmaking for me is all about being an observer, a listener. It’s a unique way of creating narratives that transcends style and reveals higher truths. I’m super excited to be bringing my documentary background to commercials, and honored to be joining Nonfiction’s incredible A-List of directors. All of them have been my role models, from Steve James to Barbara Kopple.”
Benjamin received a BA in sculpture and an MFA in documentary film at The City University of New York. In conjunction with the Sarasota Film Festival, he will be teaching military veterans the theory and practice of filmmaking in October and November in Sarasota, Florida.
