In three intertwining narratives, a peculiar philanthropist, Jalal, runs an unusual contest in a local newspaper offering to donate money to the most worthy applicant. Believing that his commitment to help Tehran’s poor community will ease the pain he feels over the loss of his 5-year-old son, Jalal finds that he might be in over his head. In what becomes a distressing exhibition of the plights and realities of Iranian society, we see the struggles of those Jalal intends to help.
In three intertwining narratives, a peculiar philanthropist, Jalal, runs an unusual contest in a local newspaper offering to donate money to the most worthy applicant. Believing that his commitment to help Tehran’s poor community will ease the pain he feels over the loss of his 5-year-old son, Jalal finds that he might be in over his head. In what becomes a distressing exhibition of the plights and realities of Iranian society, we see the struggles of those Jalal intends to help.
A caper inspired by Ben Affleck's Argo, Very Big Shot is the dryly comedic story of a criminally-minded pizza shop owner . With the help of his brothers, Ziad, a small scale drug-dealer turned movie producer decides to smuggle cocaine using film equipment. Adapted from writer/director Chaaya’s own award-winning short “Filmmakers.”
A caper inspired by Ben Affleck's Argo, Very Big Shot is the dryly comedic story of a criminally-minded pizza shop owner . With the help of his brothers, Ziad, a small scale drug-dealer turned movie producer decides to smuggle cocaine using film equipment. Adapted from writer/director Chaaya’s own award-winning short “Filmmakers.”
Lahore used to be a mecca of Pakistani culture, a thriving center of art, music and poetry. When the Islamic government took over, strict rules were imposed that made art a punishable sin. The Sachel Studio Jazz Ensemble help show a side of Pakistan rarely seen by Western audiences: a lively, colorful place, with cultural heart. When the group’s rendition of "Take Five" achieved viral status on YouTube, they are invited to play in New York City with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.
Lahore used to be a mecca of Pakistani culture, a thriving center of art, music and poetry. When the Islamic government took over, strict rules were imposed that made art a punishable sin. The Sachel Studio Jazz Ensemble help show a side of Pakistan rarely seen by Western audiences: a lively, colorful place, with cultural heart. When the group’s rendition of "Take Five" achieved viral status on YouTube, they are invited to play in New York City with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis.
Mr. Royami, an eccentric radio producer attempts to schedule an on-air collaborative jam session between an Afghan rock band and the legendary Metallica. Believing that music can go a long way towards demonstrating the kind of compassion missing from global politics, Royami tries to will into reality his most idealistic dream: watching Metallica shred with Kabul Dreams, one of Afghanistan’s premier rock bands.
Mr. Royami, an eccentric radio producer attempts to schedule an on-air collaborative jam session between an Afghan rock band and the legendary Metallica. Believing that music can go a long way towards demonstrating the kind of compassion missing from global politics, Royami tries to will into reality his most idealistic dream: watching Metallica shred with Kabul Dreams, one of Afghanistan’s premier rock bands.
Set against the backdrop of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, Nawara lives in poverty with her grandmother because she and her husband of five years cannot afford to move in together. Despite her misfortune, Nawara remains sweet and optimistic. She works as a maid for Usama and Shahina, a couple so impressively wealthy and connected to Hosni Mubarak they take their privileged existence inside a posh gated community for granted. They understand nothing of Nawara’s world and she can only observe theirs.
Rarely explored in film, Memories of the Wind tackles the Armenian genocide in a subtle, yet affecting way. Aram is a poet on the run in the winter of 1943. Suspected of being a communist sympathizer, he is forced to flee Istanbul during the latter half of World War II. He winds up in secluded expanse of forest on the Soviet-Georgian border where a boorish Turkish man named Mikhail and a beautiful young Russian woman named Meryem provide shelter.
