Tenderloin Press:

Cine Source: March 1, 2010 Vanguard acquires drama film 'Tenderloin'

Hollywood Reporter: March 1, 2010 Vanguard acquires drama film 'Tenderloin'

San Francisco Chronicle: Oct 11, 2009 "Tenderloin"

Marin Independent Journal: Oct. 2, 2009 Feature "The human touch at Mill Valley Film Festival"

Here Magazine, Marin IJ: Oct 2, 2008 Cover Story

Bay Area Reporter: Oct. 8, 2009 Viva Mill Valley! Highlights from the 32nd Mill Valley Film Festival

San Francisco Chronicle: Nov 15, 2008 Article about "Tenderloin" lead actor Kurt Yaeger

American Chronicle Nov 20, 2009

Tenderloin Quotes:

"Director Michael Anderson's film of a young Iraq War veteran becoming the manager of a residential hotel in San Francisco's Tenderloin is well written (by Ned Miller) and directed, but none of it would work without a good performance from its lead. As Ben, a single father, estranged son, and wounded loner, Kurt Yaeger is just about perfect."
- G. Allen Johnson, SF Chronicle

"When you forget you're watching a film because you're so caught up in the characters, you gain a sense of being a part of the neighborhood...(Director Michael) Anderson and writer Ned Miller show the viewer that a family can be can be created absolutely anywhere...Actor Kurt Yaeger is a standout in the film...Yaeger portrays an Iraq War veteran who has lost his leg and more importantly his enjoyment in life...The look and feel of the film has an authentic blend of the streets and those who are fortunate enough to survive the struggle and live indoors....If you have the opportunity to see this film, it's an experience you won't want to miss."
- Pam Vetter, American Chronicle

From the Mill Valley Film Festival:
"Anyone who has walked the streets of San Francisco's Tenderloin District has seen the seedy side of the city. It's a place that isn't on a first name basis with hope. When Ben takes a job as manager of a residential hotel there, he can't deny he's hit bottom. An Iraqi war veteran trying to keep his repressed anger under control, Ben just wants to hide. The last thing he expects to find is a home. But before he knows it, he's drawn into the lives of those around him, finding friendship in the faces of strangers. As he moves forward and tries to reconnect with his estranged young son, Ben learns that, wherever you live, choices are hard. Trying is one thing, believing another. Gritty and authentic, Marin director Michael Anderson's Tenderloin brims with eccentric characters that give a heartfelt and familiar face to a lonely and desperate world."
- Kristine Kolton

"Tenderloin still resonates. The relationship between the young dad and his son was beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen that relationship so honestly and perceptively portrayed on screen: authentic, unforced, very true to what I remember of being a young father in similar circumstances. It felt real. It knocked me out." 
- Eugene Corr,  director,  "Desert Bloom."

"I loved the film; the characters live!!!" 
- Lynzee Klingman,  Editor,  "A River Runs Through It."

“When Ned came to me with his script I saw an opportunity to apply my documentary film experience in an unorthodox way. The script is gritty and personal - it's Ned's story - and the setting is urban and funky. To complete my first full length feature on an ultra-low budget, I knew three things were vital: we would have to be efficient (enter producer Sam Rider); I would have to rely on the skills that I already had (documentary shooting and personal communications); and the actors would have to be excellent (enter Nancy Hayes, casting agent.)

Ned and Sam and I agreed that we would not begin production without a cast-and especially a lead actor-that we deeply believed in. Working with Nancy and SAG, we cast 17 actors, none of whom disappointed us in any way. Each actor brought more to the project than I dared hope for, and gave each of their characters a depth and dimension that make the film feel real and authentic.

A very small, very dedicated crew, led by lighting director Gary Sanders, worked quickly and efficiently to make our days short and the acting and directing fun. The Tenderloin community supported us in many ways, with neighbors and strangers pitching in and taking impromptu roles. We found excellent locations throughout the neighborhood and the Bay Area. The San Francisco film and video community lent invaluable material and personal support. And I think we succeeded in showing that cooperation, mutual support -- even love -- can flourish in the toughest of neighborhoods: the Tenderloin.”
- Michael Anderson, Director

“The more-or-less true story of 'Tenderloin' gestated in my life, mind, and heart for many years, first as an attempted novel and then as a screenplay which attempted to compress an eleven-year experience into a tight and coherent story. The film itself would never have come to light without the supreme efforts of Michael Anderson, whom I had known for decades mostly by his excellent reputation and quiet social commitment. Michael brought a massive array of resources to the production-his own, plus those of countless talented friends and professional associates-relationships he acquired by consistently being the kind of person everyone wants to know and be in business with.

Probably the single most remarkable resource Michael brought to the film was producer Sam Rider, a young man of enormous talent, charm, and personal energy who applied every ounce of his considerable strength to putting this behemoth onscreen for a budget most producers would have rejected as impractical. What you want, where you want it, when you want it, and not an ounce of complaint. That's Sammy.”
- Ned Miller, Writer

“When Ned, Michael and I partnered on this film we set some clear rules: One, we would do everything we could to take care of the cast and crew. Two, we could not afford to go into overtime so we had to restrict shooting hours to union-mandated 10- (or preferably, 8-) hour days. Three, we would support each other every step of the way even if we didn't agree with the decisions others were making. We lived up to all of these commitments, and I have never worked on a set that ran more smoothly.

Here's my favorite story from the making of 'Tenderloin': We were shooting in a neighborhood gentlemen's club with the owner watching our every move. It was our most expensive location rental and I was nervous that something would go wrong and we would end the day fleeing club bouncers and their dobermans. But at the end of the day, the club owner was so moved by the collective passion of the cast and crew that he offered to waive the location fee.”
- Sam Rider, Producer