Mean Streets is directed by Martin Scorsese with the participation of many stars such as Harvey Keitel, Robert De Niro and Cesare Danova. Charlie is a young Italian - American man who is trying to move up in the local New York Mafia but is hampered by his feeling of responsibility towards his reckless younger friend Johnny Boy. Charlie works for his uncle Giovanni, the local caporegime, mostly collecting debts. He is also having a secret affair with Johnny Boy’s cousin Teresa, who has epilepsy and is ostracized because of her condition especially by Charlie’s uncle.