Film

The "Tim and Eric" 35 YEAR OLD MAN connection.

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Was forwarded this link the other day, which is about a month old.  In it, Sam Proof (who plays Raz on Tim and Eric) curates a page called "The Funny Pages" on a website called Craveonline which features 35 YEAR OLD MAN.

I must admit that I've never been on such a website.  From Raz (Sam Proof) in regards to the aforementioned film :

"This is a bit reality, a bit dark comedy. But there’s something magical and scarier about the humor in it. This may NOT be the feel good way to start your day, but I think it’s definitely worth watching."

This is my Tim and Eric connection.  

And you can find the link here:

KHOOBI release along with the ANIMALS slate.

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With a block of time set, and some good luck in the form of music licensing and decision making, it seems that I can finally release Khoobi before the month of June is over.

My plan involves a straight to web release under a CC copyright.  This means that you will be free to download it, show it to your friends  and even screen it (as long as you hit me up first).  I've not yet decided if it should be under the remix able license yet, but maybe?

Curators, if you are interested in screening the film, please contact first.  Since this is a non-commercial release, you must first get permission son.

The official date has not been decided yet, maybe I'll slip it under you while you sleep.

This is the first of several ANIMALS collaborative projects I will be releasing this year, with the climax being my next feature film (Reza the Camel) which is in development at the moment.

In other news, I'm featured in the next issue of DNA Recordz Magazine, which highlights the work of the next generation of Diaspora artist.  Here is a photo from the shoot.

DNA Recordz, Amir Motlagh

 

Khoobi (are you ok)

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Slated as the first AYA release of 2011, Khoobi (are you ok) is at the tail end of post-production.  The picture is locked, and we just started the online edit (motion graphics, sound design, etc).  I've been blessed with an amazing team that I'm incredibly indebted too.  And a new member just joined, alleviating my final trepidations.

They all shall be named in the next update.

Looking at a May/June release, although, if I were to deliver it to the web first and forego the film festival route, I would predict a March release.

It's is a tricky world to navigate these days, but don't worry, I'll figure it out.

As for "what its about", well, just wait a bit.  Why spoil the fun.  I can say one thing with certainty; that in fact, I got my father to do old school hand drawn animation in one of the sequences.

Best
AM 

Voice of America interview and some Links

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On Saturday, August 7th, I was interviewed live on the satellite channel V.O.A show, Shabahang, with host Behnood Mokri. They showed a few clips of my work, talked a bit about WHALE, and a bit of the challenges involved in being an Iranian American filmmaker.

The segment ran about 15-20 minutes, and when a link is available, I will post it, although my Farsi is not so good, and I'm sure it caused a few laughs. All in all, I received lots of kind messages from people all around the world saying that they enjoyed the interview.

We are currently working on a new website which will make navigating easier, especially in trying to find some of my work, which is scattered everywhere..

In the spirit of making things easier to find, you can access some of my channels here. They are all a bit different(Vimeo and Dailymotion shows some longer films like Plain Us and knock. knock. for now, and Youtube has WHALE along with some other videos), although in the future, I will migrate them all to one place. For now, check them all out, see what you like, and connect with me.

Amir @ Youtube
Amir @ Vimeo
Amir @ Dailymotion

"The Stakes of No Stakes" a new interview and more.

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Two things on the agenda, first I am in the process of having a new website built, one in which will make finding what I'm doing easier, and as I've been quietly recently, its only because lots of things are happening.

Second, and more importantly, is a new interview I did with an M.A student in Film Studies in Kolkata, India, asking me some questions about what I thought "No-Budget Filmmaking" means, both concept and conception. This is for his dissertation paper, and since its academic in spirit, click if your only interested in such things.

The Stakes of No Stakes