We met director Tran Quoc Bao a few weeks back at the 2010 LAAPFF. He told us about his short film Bookie. Here’s a synopsis of the short:

BOOKIE takes place in 1963 Seattle, long before gambling was accepted social behavior for Saturday nights. It tells the story of a man who learns he can’t live his life on the sidelines forever.

On the night of a wildly anticipated boxing fight, crowds pack into a raucous soul R&B nightclub for a chance at alcohol, wild music, and easy money. Word is out that the champ’s got the fight in the bag and Bookie takes down bets from all corners.

Amidst it all, he can’t help but notice the beautiful waitress Billie have a violent falling out with Jackson, her lover and Bookie’s all-controlling boss. Bookie attempts to help matters, but the odds prove far more difficult — they will have to trust each other completely to totally break free of Jackson and the nightclub.

The short was out on the festival circuit in 2008. It picked up a couple wins on the circuit. If you missed Bookie, watch it below. Look for our interview with Tran Quoc Bao coming soon.

update: Bookie sound track is now available here.

Bookie by Tran Quoc Bao (contains violence)