Chicago native has a hit with award-winning short ‘Baldy’
By Elaine Hegwood-Bowen
Entertainment Editor
The film recently won “Best Short Film” at the Harlem Hip Hop Film Festival
Press notes for the short film estimate that in the United States, more than 35 million men and 21 million women are currently experiencing balding, and “Baldy” explores the tribulations of this loss through the lens of Travis. It highlights the pains that one Black man endured and the harrowing effect that slowly losing his hair has on his life, including his dating experience as a 20-something in New York City.
Chicago Native and NYC-based executive producer, writer and star of “Baldy,” Melvin Taylor II, has a story to tell, and he more than accomplishes it in this award-winning cute, relevant and comedic look at balding among Black men. This short film has made the circuit of film festivals around the country. Supported by Stay Taylor’d Productions, “Baldy” addresses hair loss in a unique and humorous way.
Taylor’s personal experience inspired the film, and it has had a lasting impact on major audiences, achieving more than 20 festival selections so far in 2025.
Travis initially goes to his barber to prep for a date for his birthday outing. He is given a hair treatment that hides his bald spot. Later he accidentally washes that away and afterward after much aggravation, he must just go as bald as Michael Jordan.
The evening is saved; Travis is applauded for his bravery and new look.
Look for this fun view of baldness at local upcoming film festivals.
Short film ‘Babka’ nominated for Humanitas Prizes Award
In Hasidic Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a newly-blind Orthodox Jewish baker forms an unlikely bond with a queer Catholic Latino guide dog trainer. As he learns to navigate the world anew with his German Shepherd, he embarks on an eye-opening journey to overcome personal and cultural barriers in his quest to reopen his beloved bakery.
This short film, “Babka,” is a joy to watch, as Moishe (Saul Rubinek) has recently lost his eyesight, and he wants to get back to work. I love his past work, and it’s a credit to the Chicago Crusader that we are able to receive advance screeners from films around the world.
He has all these orders for his babka, which is a sweet, enriched yeast bread of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, swirled with chocolate or cinnamon.
There is one hitch to Moishe returning to his business: he is using a seeing-eye dog, and dogs are forbidden in his Jewish culture.
After much backlash from neighbors who see him managing crosswalks to get to the bakery—and his wife finally joining him—cultural restrictions are abandoned, and he is absolved and given free rein to continue making a living for himself and family.
Look for “Babka” during upcoming local film festivals.
Indian American film “55” sheds light on Mumbai pickpockets
Set in the chaotic swirls of Mumbai, “55,” a gritty modern-day adaptation of Oliver Twist, is at its heart a story of love and redemption. Pachpan—the Hindi word for 55–a 16-year-old orphan, and his gang of pickpockets, operate on Mumbai’s crowded train stations, working for the ruthless crime boss Sagar Bhai.
After stealing an unusually large sum from an unsuspecting commuter, curiosity leads 55 to follow the victim to his modest home, where he discovers the life-altering consequences of his actions. Dishonored and unable to pay for the wedding of his eldest daughter, the man takes his own life on the very train tracks where he was robbed.
Torn by remorse, 55 resolves to get involved in the life of the daughter regardless of what it will mean for his own standing in Sagar’s gang. His life spins into turmoil where he straddles the fence between being a thief and becoming honest.
As their connection deepens, 55 is forced to confront the weight of his past and question everything he’s ever known about loyalty, survival and redemption.
This film is so fast paced and sad, as we watch the misguided youth and their allegiance to Sagar measured against their survival.
They set up their victims in an integrate parlay of snatching the wallet and then passing it from one pickpocket after another. They bring their ill-gotten spoils to Sagar, who gives each a pittance.
Produced by Ridley Scott, who is famous for “Alien” and “Gladiator” films, “55” presents a great eye-popping slice of life about the subsistence of youth in Mumbai (formerly Bombay).
Directed by Shyam Madiraju, with Paul Feig also as an executive producer, this film delivers both emotional depth and global cinematic appeal, blending humanity, intensity and authentic performances.
Feig notes, “‘55’ is an emotional crowd pleaser, sometimes scary, sometimes funny and always engaging… Shyam Madiraju has taken an incredibly talented cast… and gotten the performances of a lifetime.”
This is a great watch; the pickpockets rally together at times and at times turn savagely against each other.
“55” opens in Los Angeles on September 5. Later, look for it locally, probably either at Siskel Film Center or Music Box.