West Hempstead Grad's Film Playing on Showtime

"His name is Marc Dreier, he is 59 years old, and his life is over." That's how Vanity Fair summed up the story of the hot-shot New York lawyer and philanthropist turned convicted criminal in a November 2009 article.

Dreier may not be as infamous as Bernie Madoff. He was actually charged of committing massive hedge fund fraud, bilking investors out of millions, the same day Madoff was arrested for defrauding his clients of billions through a Ponzi scheme. 

But through "Unraveled," the latest documentary work co-produced by West Hempstead High School alum and award-winning filmmaker Matthew Makar, audiences will get to know Dreier much better and receive a rare glimpse into the mind of a man whose ambition led to his own self destruction.

"'Unraveled' exposes a portrait of a man who achieved the distinction he so desperately craved, but not for his keen intellect or ambition, but as a 'mastermind of criminal deception,'" explains the film's Web site. 

Dreier agreed to allow the film crew into his Upper East Side penthouse, where he was under house arrest as he awaited sentencing. Speaking on camera, he very candidly reflects on the series of crimes -- including forgeries and impersonation -- he committed in order to maintain his high-rolling lifestyle.

At one point in the film's trailer, Dreier states, "How many people who are condemining what I did would know for sure they would never do anything like I dis if they know they wouldn't ever get caught?"  

The 84-minute film opened for a limited release in April, but can now be seen on Showtime. (Scroll down for dates/times.) 

This is the second time a film that Makar has worked on has appeared on Showtime Networks. The first was “Nursery University,” which he directed and co-produced. It's been playing in 10 countries around the world.

The 1996 West Hempstead High School graduate also received an award for another major work he both directed and co-produced. "Yellow Brick Road," a film that follows members of the Town of Hempstead's Camp A.N.C.H.O.R. program as they stage a production of The Wizard of Oz, aired on HBO Family and Cinemax.

Makar, who founded Elementary Films, has also completed a short documentary/ TV pilot about a disabled rapper who writes and records a rap song with his favorite rapper Chuck D from Public Enemy. He's worked in production for Miramax Films, Greene Street Films, MTV and VH1, and his feature film experience includes "Gangs Of New York," "Dare Devil," "ELF," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” and "Ladder 49." Makar is also a producing consultant and has worked on documentaries including "Life on the Edge," which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and NBC's "Meeting David Wilson."

"Unraveled" will air on Showtime on Aug. 23, at 4:45 p.m., Aug. 26 at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 3 at 6:35 p.m. and Sept. 7 at 9:30 a.m. Showtime 2 will also show the film on Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 17 at 2:35 p.m. It will air on Showtime Showcase on Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. and Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and on Showtime Next on Sept. 4 at 8:40 a.m., Sept. 10 at 6:55 a.m., Sept. 15 at 12:35 p.m. and Sept. 19 at 11 a.m.