About Before I Go
LOGLINE
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
BEFORE I GO is a psychological drama that follows Emily, a once vibrant and beautiful young woman, as she confronts her ex-boyfriend for the first time since he sold her into sex-trafficking years prior. As their conversation unfolds, we peel back the layers of their characters as they wrestle with their fragmented past and the emotional
BEFORE I GO is a psychological drama that follows Emily, a once vibrant and beautiful young woman, as she confronts her ex-boyfriend for the first time since he sold her into sex-trafficking years prior. As their conversation unfolds, we peel back the layers of their characters as they wrestle with their fragmented past and the emotional pain Emily has endured.
This intense confrontation blurs the line between reality and imagination as Emily grapples with how Tristan has stripped her of her youth, her innocence and her identity.
Will Emily get the revenge and closure that she has longed for?
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Andrew Sandler is an award-winning filmmaker based out of Los Angeles, with a portfolio of videos, commercials, and films that have amassed well over a billion views. His passion in both Directing and Producing has gained him credits with A-List talent such as Aerosmith, blink 182, Nicki Minaj, Diddy, Usher, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige,
Andrew Sandler is an award-winning filmmaker based out of Los Angeles, with a portfolio of videos, commercials, and films that have amassed well over a billion views. His passion in both Directing and Producing has gained him credits with A-List talent such as Aerosmith, blink 182, Nicki Minaj, Diddy, Usher, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Tim McGraw, Machine Gun Kelly, and many others.
In 2017, Andrew released two feature length documentary films. The first being Mary J. Blige's "Strength of a Woman" album documentary, which premiered on VH1; and Chris Brown's "Welcome To My Life" which had a worldwide theatrical debut, earning it's title as one of the most successful independent documentaries of 2017 - it is currently on NETFLIX. His most recent documentary work - a limited series on the infamous music label, Cash Money Records - is currently on Spotify.
In January 2020, Andrew produced the visuals for Justin Bieber's "Changes: The Movement" visual dance album. Shortly after, his work with the legendary blink-182 was nominated for 2 awards at the MTV Video Music Awards, as well as his work with Panic! At The Disco at the Billboard Music Awards. Later that year, his work with British newcomer Yungblud was nominated for BEST ROCK VIDEO by his industry peers at the Music Video Production Association (MVPA Awards).
Most recently, Andrew collaborated with Machine Gun Kelly on a feature length musical film titled “Downfalls High”, starring Sydney Sweeney of the hit show "Euphoria". The film premiered in January 2021 to over 16 million views in its opening weekend. Additionally, his directing and producing work for "Mainstream Sellout: Live From Cleveland" premiered on May 12, 2023 in over 1000 theaters nationwide.
Andrew is currently developing various TV and feature film projects while continuing to gain attention in the music video and commercial worlds.
VERONIKA DASH as EMILY
VERONIKA DASH as EMILY
VERONIKA DASH as EMILY
Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Veronika Dash is classically trained and has spent most of her youth developing her craft as an actor on various stages in New York. After moving to Los Angeles to study at the School of Dramatic Arts at the University of Southern California, where she graduated magna cum laude. Veronika has worked with critically
Born in Kiev, Ukraine, Veronika Dash is classically trained and has spent most of her youth developing her craft as an actor on various stages in New York. After moving to Los Angeles to study at the School of Dramatic Arts at the University of Southern California, where she graduated magna cum laude. Veronika has worked with critically acclaimed directors and successfully landed roles in TV pilots, films and commercials.
Veronika can be seen guest starring in popular shows such as CSI: Vegas, iCarly, Lucifer, and Grand Hotel. Recently, Veronika wrapped a supporting role as Rebecca in the feature Isabels Garden which will premiere later this year. Dash has worked with some masterful actors like Jane Fonda and Harvey Keitel in the Oscar nominated feature film, “Youth” directed by Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino, Mos Def in the blues biopic, Cadillac Records, and showed off her comedy skills with Justin Long in For a Good Time Call and Karan Soni in Coffee Shop Names.
Veronika has studied with legendary acting coach Larry Moss, learned Shakespeare from the renowned Patsy Rodenburg and has studied voice and movement, as well as animal work, with the great Alexander Technique teachers Kristof Konrad and Jean Louie Rodrigue.
KEN KING as TRISTAN
VERONIKA DASH as EMILY
VERONIKA DASH as EMILY
Ken was born and raised in New York, where he developed a lifelong love of theater and the performing arts at a young age. He worked on his first professional film at seven and has been honing his craft ever since. His professional training began at NYC’s High School of Performing Arts while continuing to work in theater, film, and voice
Ken was born and raised in New York, where he developed a lifelong love of theater and the performing arts at a young age. He worked on his first professional film at seven and has been honing his craft ever since. His professional training began at NYC’s High School of Performing Arts while continuing to work in theater, film, and voice over. He undertook classical training at the internationally renowned Moscow Art Theater, followed by the SUNY Purchase Conservatory, and A.R.T. Ken also holds a degree in anthropology from New York’s Columbia University.
Ken has been fortunate enough to work with a diverse group of artists and teachers such as the legendary Christopher Bayes of the Yale school of drama, traditional Balinese mask with Per Brahe, the incredible Patsy Rodenburg, Larry Moss, Anne Bogart of the SITI company, and the legendary on-camera acting teacher Bob Krakower.
Some of Ken’s work includes the Drama Desk nominated production of Kurt Vonnegut’s SlaughterHouse Five, Guy Montag in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, and his role as Alex in the award-winning production of Anthony Burgee’s A Clockwork Orange at the international Edinburgh Fringe festival. Ken is also a performer with Punchdrunk’s immersive theatrical experience Sleep No More, The Lost Supper, the Upright Citizens Brigade, and People’s Improve Theater. Ken can also be seen in Raul Castro’s Alternatino, Finding Steve McQueen, FBI: Most Wanted, and the upcoming 10th season of The Blacklist.
director's statement
As a filmmaker, I believe in the power of storytelling to shed light on the darkest corners of our society. It is a responsibility I feel deeply as I navigate the type of stories I bring to the screen. The motivation behind embarking on a film about this particularly heart-wrenching issue is twofold: the love and protection I have for my partner and younger sister, and the myriad of stories I was able to learn about through my extensive research on this topic.
Sex trafficking is a pervasive, global problem that preys on the vulnerability and innocence of countless victims. From the moment I read this script, I was extremely moved by it. I was struck by the simple yet layered story of a woman trying to overcome her trauma and attempt to experience normalcy, love, and freedom from the literal bondage of her past. As I began doing script development, it became abundantly clear that this topic demanded my attention as a filmmaker. In choosing to portray and expose the grave injustices within this underworld, I drive to not only raise awareness, but also to inspire action.
This film delves far beyond the surface narrative of sex trafficking, seeking to illuminate the nuanced facets that exist in recovering from such a horrifying phenomenon. By humanizing the victims, we aim to create a compassionate understanding, while simultaneously challenging the audiences’ perception of the issue at hand. We will follow our protagonist (Emily) - a determined, resilient survivor - taking the audience on a poignant journey that amplifies the strength of the human spirit and ignites a call for justice.
Cinema has the unique ability to transcend boundaries and create empathy. By carefully crafting each frame and scene, we grab hold of viewers’ emotions, immersing them in the harrowing realities faced by survivors - specifically by leaning into the tension of Emily facing the one person who is responsible for her trauma.
I’ve spent the last decade directing and producing critically-acclaimed music videos, documentaries, and commercials that have amassed over a billion views. As I attempt to take my film career into my own hands by self-financing and directing this narrative piece, I knew that this particular story would be powerfully framed in this incredibly thoughtful and suspenseful way.
Our ultimate goal with this film is to not only shine a light on an incredibly important topic, but to also empower women to share their stories. Together, let us unveil the shadows, illuminate the truth, create a global community united in the fight against sex trafficking, and open the conversation around victims taking back their power.
In Solidarity,
Andrew Sandler, Director & Executive Producer of “Before I Go”
Where are we at with the film?
We are currently in post-production and will be submitting to film festivals beginning in Fall 2023.
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you!
Do you have questions or comments about our film? Are you interesting in contributing to finishing funds? Send us a message, and we will get back to you soon.
