It is tough out there for poker movies – however hard they try, they seem to have a strong tendency to flop. Director Gil Cates is bravely attempting it again, this time with a documentary on Joe Hachem’s win of the 2005 WSOP.
Most poker films around are based entirely around fiction – thing of “Casino Royale”, “Deal” and “All in” – even when they sometimes feature real poker players, like Johnny Chan’s appearance in the classic ‘Rounders.” But now, for the first time, there will be a poker movie based on a real poker event: the 2005 WSOP Main Event, won by charismatic newcomer Joe Hachem.
Director Gil Cates Jr. – son of film producer Gil Cates Sr. and brother of actress Phoebe Cates – is the mind behind “Pass the Sugar,” a document based on Hachem’s road to poker wealth and fame and named after his famous catchphrase when winning a pot.
Cates has filmmaking experience and a particular interest in poker and gaming, two of his five released films – Deal, Life after tomorrow, A Midsummer Night’s Rave, the Mesmerist and $pent –are about poker or gaming. “Deal” in particular is a poker film, starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and actress/poker star Shannon Elizabeth. Cates’s upcoming poker film “Pass the Sugar” will be produced by Joe Hachem’s brother Tom (who is Joe’s agent and manager) and Caitlin Murney, and financing has been secured from Australian production company Stack Exchange.
“Pass the Salt” has all the elements for an exciting plot: born in Lebanon, Hachem and his family moved to Australia in the early 70s, where he pursued a successful career as a chiropractor before a rare blood disorder forced him to retire. He took poker at this point, and famously won his first ever WSOP Main Event, which at $10,000,000 also was the largest ever prize won on a single tournament. For added drama, Hachem won his bracelet with 7 3 unsuited on a heart-stopping finish against Steve Dannenmann. The film will feature interviews with celebrities and poker players including Jose Canseco and Jennifer Tilly.
Hachem is no stranger to the big screen, having debuted with a “small but pivotal” role in soon-to-be-released Australian film “Prey” alongside Rogue Traders’ Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Jesse Johnson, son of Miami Vice star Don Johnson.
