Steve Stanulis has had a truly impressive career. The Staten Island native spent several years of his life dedicated to protecting and serving the people as a police officer for the NYPD before becoming a dancer, security guard, actor, and film director himself. As a result, he's earned quite the reputation in Hollywood, whether for his impeccable acting skills, creative film concepts, or even for his time spent working as a guard for the controversial Kanye West, an American hip-hop star known for his random outbursts and, at times, out of control behavior. Even if you haven't seen him on your television screen, you've likely watched something he's directed or encountered Steve on social media, where he's amassed over one million followers.
Although he's had tremendous success throughout his career and seemingly excels at every job he chooses to take on, challenging or not, Steve has spent the last several years focusing on directing and filming content that brings value to viewers while keeping them engaged and entertained. Of those films, one brings up a critical topic – affordable healthcare. Unfortunately, healthcare costs are astronomical in the United States and are only expected to rise in the coming months and years. With millions of people living at or below the poverty line, accessing affordable healthcare coverage has become more challenging. Steve Stanulis covers the frustration over the lack of reasonable, high-quality care in the United States in his latest film, 5th Borough.
Shedding Light on Affordable Healthcare in the United States
While it's a topic often overlooked by those who wish to ignore the idea of those struggling to receive primary care as human beings, Steven Stanulis isn't afraid to discuss the dire situation regarding healthcare in the United States and the people who can't afford it despite working hard. So, what does the film discuss? It dives deep into what happens when parents can't afford to cover the cost of medical treatments that have the potential to save their child from a life-threatening condition. Steve brings awareness to what life is like for those who don't have the luxury to afford quality, life-saving care for their loved ones.
Tara Reid, an accomplished actress, best known for her roles in movies like American Pie, Last Call, Josie and the Pussycats, and Urban Legend, stars in 5th Borough alongside several other notable actors from shows and films, such as The Sopranos. Although the film has a fictional storyline centered around a man who needs to pay for life-saving care for his daughter one way or another, thus resulting in turning over to a life of crime, it's a theme that millions of people across the country know all too well. With the rising cost of healthcare expenses, many are racking up thousands of dollars in debt, selling anything they can think of, and taking extreme measures to afford medications and treatments for medical-related problems.
"When people ask me what inspired me to create this film, 5th Borough, I tell them that this is a reality for many people in the United States. Despite living in a wealthy country, millions of our people are struggling to make ends meet, which means they're not left with much breathing room when a medical emergency does occur," shares Stanulis. "I believe that some people are so out of touch with reality and don't even realize the true suffering of those living in low-income communities, many of whom have to stress over where their next meal will come from, let alone figure out how to pay for medications and treatments. The film may be fictional, but the experience is a reality for millions of people."
The reality is heartbreaking when considering the number of people who have to go without adequate care simply because they can't afford it. Steve Stanulis knows that all too well and understands that even basic survival is challenging enough, especially for those living in the metro area of New York City. Low-income families in New York and other major cities regularly face constant challenges that put them at risk of losing everything they own. From shockingly high rental rates to inflation, causing the cost of food to increase, people have to worry about trying to afford the cost of living and often can't afford any emergency expenses, even if it's a medical emergency.
"No one should have to live their life like that, where they're worried about paying rent and bills and can't receive medical treatment or care because of a lack of money. Sadly, it's a sick and deplorable situation that many people face. I hope to bring more awareness to the situation so that people who don't realize what is going on can experience that wake-up call and see that this is a real thing happening right in front of our eyes," says Steve Stanulis. "No one would want their child to suffer because they can't afford medical care. I'd like people to put themselves in the position of others when they’re watching the film to realize how dire some situations are and how incredibly unfair our healthcare system is for low-income people. Even people slightly above the poverty line are having a hard time covering health-related expenses."
Steve's film centers on a character named Nick, a devoted father who finds out his daughter has a brain tumor and needs costly medical treatment. Knowing he can't afford to cover the cost of treatment but willing to do anything in his power to save his daughter's life, he turns to the mob to earn money, committing felonies in the process. While this is in no way an indication of what people should do when facing the situation, it raises awareness of the extreme measures parents are willing to go through if it means ensuring their children receive the quality care needed to live longer, healthier lives.
For those interested in watching, 5th Borough is available on Amazon and is free to watch for Amazon Prime members. The captivating film will keep you entertained while touching on such a critical topic involving healthcare in America.
Photography by: Courtesy of Steve Stanulis
