Local Director Feinberg Tackles Love and Taxes

Accountants can certainly fall in love and lust; but only Atlanta native Ken Feinberg chose to combine the two in a unique rom com, “Love & Taxe$,” which came to the big screen in early August at the Cobb International Film Festival.

Working with Lloyd Schwartz, friend and mentor on the script, the two got serious in 2023 during the writer’s strike and only recently completed it. Of note, Schwartz’s father created “Gilligan’s Island” and “The Brady Bunch.” When asked, “What’s Jewish about the movie?” Feinberg replied, “The main character is a Jewish accountant. He has a Jewish wedding in the movie. The writer, director, star and three producers are Jewish.” Note that Craig Tollis co-directed with Feinberg.

Feinberg, whose father was an actor, majored in film at the University of Georgia, then headed for the Big Apple, followed by Los Angeles where he studied and trained. His past parts include “Star Trek Enterprise,” “Buffy,” and “Charmed.” He also acted and directed in theater. Here, he started the Creative Studios of Atlanta (CSA) Film Academy where his classes trained actors like Storm Reid, Madison Thompson, Kyla Drew, and Lexi Minetree. His own past films are “When Tomorrow Comes,” “Retreads,” “Seven Generations,” and “Santa’s Boot Camp” (now playing on Tubi as a Christmas movie teaching kids to be nicer to one another). CSA has developed over time to include CSA Film Academy where they train young actors and adults and produce movies. In terms of his film genre outlook, he sums up “nonviolent.”

Feinberg suggested that beyond its comedy and quick repartee, “Love and Taxe$” is really about “relationships, deep conversations, caring, and open communication.”

One utterly charming piece of the project is the star, Jake Reiner, grandson of Carl Reiner and son of Rob Reiner. Nabbing that catch, Feinberg said, “Reiner submitted a headshot like 12,000 other actors. We put out a casting call. In the end, he and Alexis [Abrams, as a waitress] had amazing chemistry together … Rob Reiner gave us a quote and came to the Beverly Hills Film Festival. At our Beverly Hills Film Festival, it screened at the famous [Groman’s] Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Rob Reiner came and took photos on the red carpet and watched the movie with us.”

Only partially reminiscent of the old Alan Alda movie (1978) “Same Time, Next Year,” “Love and Taxe$” has each scene set during their once-a-year meeting where he helps her with her taxes (and other things — hint).

Filming in Atlanta, Feinberg cites the milestones and hurdles as “funding and distribution, finding the location, working in Georgia heat in July.”

He has submitted the film to more festivals in Atlanta, across Georgia, and North Carolina and is in talks with distributors. Feinberg commented, “For a native Atlantan Jewish filmmaker, it would be amazing to be in the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. We’ve submitted the film, and now it’s in the hands of the jury.”

On a personal note, Feinberg attended The Westminster Schools, and answers to being a “girl dad” with two teenagers who keep him pretty busy. In his spare time, he studies Kabbalah and follows UGA football. He cited his three favorite movies of all time. “That’s a tough one. These three movies I saw in the theater and went back the next day to watch again, ‘Dead Poets Society,’ ‘Shakespeare in Love,’ and ‘Shrek.’”

When pressed to drop names. Feinberg recalled, “I did acting workshops with Henry Winkler and Jason Alexander. I was on ‘Alias’ with Jennifer Garner, she was so nice. And David Prowse (Darth Vader) approached me at DragonCon and said he was ‘a fan of my work’ and wanted to know if I would trade autographed pictures.”

When queried about his own talents, Feinberg mused, “I think I’m really good with people. Finding acting talent and talented crew people. Many of the crew was their first time and they got to be creative.”

Note there is a 2015 movie, “Love & Taxes,” that is not related to Feinberg and this script.