The goal of this project was to create a short film centered around someone going through a daily routine. For my video, I chose to tell the story of an Italian-American mobster preparing to “whack” someone.

The film was shot in my college dorm room by a classmate and me, using an iPhone 13 Pro. At the time, I was just beginning my filmmaking journey, and all of the school’s professional equipment had already been checked out. Rather than waiting for the equipment, I embraced the challenge and leaned into the limitations. Shooting on an iPhone became an opportunity to focus on creative framing, lighting, and tone — proving that strong storytelling can come through, even with minimal gear.

The final shots of La Cosa Nostra pay homage to the iconic baptism sequence in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather (1972). In that scene, Michael Corleone attends his godson’s baptism while simultaneously orchestrating the murders of rival mob leaders across New York. When the priest asks Michael if he renounces Satan and all his works, he solemnly replies, “I do.” The film powerfully juxtaposes this religious ritual with scenes of brutal violence, highlighting the moral contradiction of a man who claims to serve God while living as a ruthless criminal. It marks Michael’s transformation into both a godfather in the church and The Godfather of the underworld.

In La Cosa Nostra, I sought to reflect that same hypocrisy in the closing shots. On the protagonist’s desk sits a Bible — a symbol of faith and righteousness — which contrasts sharply with his criminal intentions. As he prepares for the hit, he places his wallet on top of the Bible, concealing his identity and distancing himself from the moral framework it represents. He then makes room in his coat for the murder weapon. These actions symbolize his internal conflict and the choice to abandon who he is supposed to be in favor of who he truly is, and who he is becoming.