Justin Lin will direct a drama based on the PBS documentary “Abacus: Small Enough To Jail” about a small Chinatown bank that was the only bank to be prosecuted following the 2008 mortgage crisis, TheWrap has learned.
The documentary shines a light on the Sung Family, an immigrant family who owned the Abacus Federal Savings Bank in Manhattan’s Chinatown. While international banks escaped unscathed, federal prosecutors went after Abacus and the Sungs for mortgage fraud, forcing the family to enter a five-year legal battle to protect their business. “Abacus” was screened at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, received a limited release in May, and will have its broadcast premiere on PBS’ “Frontline,” airing at 10/9c on Tuesday.
Kenneth Lin (“House of Cards”) is attached to write the script. Lin will produce with “Abacus” producer Mark Mitten, as well as Mary Lee, Ernesto Foronda and Elizabeth Urwin of Perfect Storm. Julie Goldman is co-producer, with “Abacus” director Steve James attached as executive producer.
Lin is repped by CAA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Mitten was repped by Irene Viksman Flores of Eisner Jaffe.