The independent film was allegedly produced and directed by "Sam Bacile," initially described as a 56-year-old real estate developer and "Israeli Jew" who spoke by phone with The Associated Press.[4][5] However, Israeli authorities found no evidence that he is a citizen,[6][7] and there is no evidence of a Sam Bacile around 50 years old living in California or having a real estate license[8][7] or participating in Hollywood filmmaking. Though "Bacile" claimed the film had been made for "$5 million" from "100 Jewish donors",[9] Hollywood Reporter described the films appearance as unprofessional, bringing this claim into doubt.[10] The film's consultant, Steve Klein, told journalist Jeffrey Goldberg that Bacile is not a real person and is not Israeli or Jewish, as has been reported, and that the name is, in fact, a pseudonym for about fifteen Copts and Evangelical Christians from Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. Goldberg questions the reliability of Klein.[11]