Directing

David Hartstein

Known for

Directing

Credits

11 titles

Known for

Luv Ya Bum! poster
NR

In the ’70s, Houston was booming... except for the city’s woeful pro football team. The Oilers gambled on hiring Bum Phillips, an unconventional East Texas coach known for cowboy hats, ostrich boots, and folksy one-liners. Ditching tradition and embracing a family-first atmosphere, Bum brought in 'misfits' and 'has-beens' to build a winner. At its peak, Bum’s Oilers blew up into the Luv Ya Blue!’ phenomenon, with Earl Campbell and the Oilers going to war with a Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty. Bum’s success on and off the field, his humanity and unique style left a legacy now carried forward by many, including his son and grandson, celebrated coaches Wade and Wes Phillips.

Luv Ya Bum!

2025

Where Soldiers Come From poster
5.4

From a small town in northern Michigan to the mountains of Afghanistan, "Where Soldiers Come From" follows the journey of childhood friends who join the National Guard after graduating from high school. It chronicles the young men's transformation from teenagers to soldiers to 23-year-old combat veterans. The film offers an intimate look at the young men who fight our wars.

Where Soldiers Come From

2011

Barracuda poster
6.2

Sinaloa hitchhikes into Texas to meet Merle, her half-sister by way of their dead country musician father. As the two get to know each other, Sinaloa's chaotic influence starts to unravel Merle's quiet, comfortable life. While the family music legacy brought Sinaloa to Austin, she won't leave without taking revenge against the people who stole her daddy away years ago.

Barracuda

2017

The Honor Farm poster
4.1

When Lucy's prom night falls apart, she finds herself jumping into a hearse headed for a psychedelic party in the woods. Looking for a thrill, the party wanders deeper into the forest, to a haunted prison work farm. A secret wish and a summoning of the dead sends the group on a mind-bending trip that may be a dangerous trap.

The Honor Farm

2017

The Sensitives poster
5.5

In Drew Xanthopoulos’ intimate and cinematic documentary, we meet Joe, a patriarch whose affliction is so all-encompassing that he’s indifferent to his long-suffering wife; and twin brothers Sam and Nathan, musicians who are no longer able to breathe outside of their real-life sterile “plastic bubble,” and whose mother, Karen, developed her illness when she was only 17. These characters all suffer from debilitating sensitivities to their environment. Whether from ambient chemicals, genetics, electricity, or even psychogenic reasons, the cause is not clear, but the reality of the effects on these individuals is undeniable. Fortunately, Susie Molloy, a quiet firebrand who is chemically sensitive herself, seeks to help. In her, those afflicted by this modern malady have found an advocate whose mission is to de-stigmatize this community, and in telling their stories, Xanthopoulos has crafted a film itself as deeply sensitive as its title suggests. Cara Cusumano

The Sensitives

2017

Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience poster
NR

John Aielli influenced Austin's musical diversity for over 50 years. The opera singer from Killeen became Austin's legendary voice. His freeform interviews, on-air mishaps and philosophical musings made "Eklektikos" a one-of-a-kind show.

Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience

2024

Behind the camera

Luv Ya Bum! poster
NR

In the ’70s, Houston was booming... except for the city’s woeful pro football team. The Oilers gambled on hiring Bum Phillips, an unconventional East Texas coach known for cowboy hats, ostrich boots, and folksy one-liners. Ditching tradition and embracing a family-first atmosphere, Bum brought in 'misfits' and 'has-beens' to build a winner. At its peak, Bum’s Oilers blew up into the Luv Ya Blue!’ phenomenon, with Earl Campbell and the Oilers going to war with a Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty. Bum’s success on and off the field, his humanity and unique style left a legacy now carried forward by many, including his son and grandson, celebrated coaches Wade and Wes Phillips.

Luv Ya Bum!

2025

Where Soldiers Come From poster
5.4

From a small town in northern Michigan to the mountains of Afghanistan, "Where Soldiers Come From" follows the journey of childhood friends who join the National Guard after graduating from high school. It chronicles the young men's transformation from teenagers to soldiers to 23-year-old combat veterans. The film offers an intimate look at the young men who fight our wars.

Where Soldiers Come From

2011

Barracuda poster
6.2

Sinaloa hitchhikes into Texas to meet Merle, her half-sister by way of their dead country musician father. As the two get to know each other, Sinaloa's chaotic influence starts to unravel Merle's quiet, comfortable life. While the family music legacy brought Sinaloa to Austin, she won't leave without taking revenge against the people who stole her daddy away years ago.

Barracuda

2017

The Honor Farm poster
4.1

When Lucy's prom night falls apart, she finds herself jumping into a hearse headed for a psychedelic party in the woods. Looking for a thrill, the party wanders deeper into the forest, to a haunted prison work farm. A secret wish and a summoning of the dead sends the group on a mind-bending trip that may be a dangerous trap.

The Honor Farm

2017

The Sensitives poster
5.5

In Drew Xanthopoulos’ intimate and cinematic documentary, we meet Joe, a patriarch whose affliction is so all-encompassing that he’s indifferent to his long-suffering wife; and twin brothers Sam and Nathan, musicians who are no longer able to breathe outside of their real-life sterile “plastic bubble,” and whose mother, Karen, developed her illness when she was only 17. These characters all suffer from debilitating sensitivities to their environment. Whether from ambient chemicals, genetics, electricity, or even psychogenic reasons, the cause is not clear, but the reality of the effects on these individuals is undeniable. Fortunately, Susie Molloy, a quiet firebrand who is chemically sensitive herself, seeks to help. In her, those afflicted by this modern malady have found an advocate whose mission is to de-stigmatize this community, and in telling their stories, Xanthopoulos has crafted a film itself as deeply sensitive as its title suggests. Cara Cusumano

The Sensitives

2017

Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience poster
NR

John Aielli influenced Austin's musical diversity for over 50 years. The opera singer from Killeen became Austin's legendary voice. His freeform interviews, on-air mishaps and philosophical musings made "Eklektikos" a one-of-a-kind show.

Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience

2024

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

America's Parking Lot

2012

Through the Repellent Fence: A Land Art Film poster
NR

The film follows Postcommodity, an interdisciplinary arts collective comprised of Raven Chacon, Cristóbal Martinez and Kade L. Twist, who put land art in a tribal context. The group bring together a community to construct the Repellent Fence, a two-mile long ephemeral monument “stitching” together the US and Mexico.

Through the Repellent Fence: A Land Art Film

2017

Wüm poster
4.5

It follows Bennett, a nonbinary new parent, who arrives late to their postpartum "Mamas Group" at a place called "Wüm" with 3-month-old daughter, Edie.

Wüm

2023

The Happy Poet poster
6.6

When Bill, the title character, secures a very small loan to start his dream business--a health food stand--his struggles as an idealistic micro-business owner begin.

The Happy Poet

2010

Fathers of Football poster
NR

Fathers of Football follows the triumphs and struggles of life in a small town, where football is not only the brightest stage but also the best ticket out.

Fathers of Football

2018