Written and Directed by Samer Saifan

SHOOTING SEPTEMBER 2024 - Political/Psychological Drama

A New York University Thesis Short Film

Living in the diaspora, a young Palestinian man strives to be a photographer in New York City, but experiences surreal psychological visions as he struggles with his loss of identity and generational trauma.

Based on true events, the story follows a day in the life of Ismail, a Palestinian photographer who’s American life and upbringing was ultimately dictated by his grandfather becoming a refugee in the 1948 Palestine Nakba. The driving force of the story revolves around when Ismail’s mother gifts him a Keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf - symbolizing his internal struggle between being ashamed and proud of his cultural heritage - all of this with the ominous backdrop of rising Palestinian murders and hate crimes in America.

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The Impact of the Film

I believe this project can truly have an emotional impact on the Palestinian community but more importantly, reach an even bigger demographic globally. This film can offer an incredibly eye opening perspective that is digestible in the form of an entertaining narrative story. The subjective Palestinian human experience in this story revolves around a young man in the world finding his place in society, something that anyone can relate to and identify with regardless of their race or background. The goal of this film is to reach people that have not heard the voice of the Palestinian struggle and to touch them on a human level, making them ask important questions about what they have been taught, and hopefully pushing them to gain a new positive understanding of Palestinians, viewing them as more than just martyrs from across the world, but a beautiful global nation of people that are creative, talented, hard working and are also apart of your neighborhoods and communities. As a filmmaker, I am always on the search for new sources of inspiration and cinema, but I seem to find only a handful of Palestinian narrative films, and even less so in short narrative form. Due to the quality and strength of this story, I feel it will be incredibly powerful and stand out amongst the current market of films, amplifying Palestinian voices that are often times suppressed.

As a first generation Palestinian whose grandparents and family were direct refugees of the Nakba, I am choosing to make this film to tell a unique Palestinian story and to share a perspective that will hopefully make people open their minds but more importantly their hearts. This film not only has been a therapeutic outlet for me to express, but it also has served as an introspective exploration of my life and newfound place in the world.

Cast and Characters

Ismail

A young Palestinian photographer struggling with his loss of identity and generational trauma as the rise of Palestinian hate crimes begins to grow in America. After receiving a Keffiyeh from his mother, he battles internally with his place in the world and questions whether or not to embrace his heritage. A very isolated character with pessimistic views on people and society, he relies heavily on his passion for art to bring him peace.

Played by Adam Budron

Adam Budron is a Palestinian-American actor, writer, and producer represented by 3 ARTS ENTERTAINMENT. He portrays Sami in the Paramount+ espionage thriller Special Ops: Lioness. He most recently appears in the Sundance Grand Jury Nominated, "WILD INDIAN" with Jesse Eisenberg and stars across Whoopi Goldberg, in the dramatic indie "PALACE". He can also be seen in the NBC drama series "THE BLACKLIST" in an highly emotional role as Bayram, spotlighting the horrors of refugee human-trafficking. He is also a co-producer on "If Birds Believed in God".

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Adam's Bio

Leila

Ismail’s best friend since childhood. She is the antithesis to Ismail’s lack of action and hopelessness, a realist of the world that wants to fight for revolutionary ideals. She is proud of her cultural heritage and not scared to be judged for it. She tries to convince Ismail to join a Palestinian poetry reading with him, forcing him to get out of his shell and embrace his identity.

Played by Veracity Butcher

Veracity Butcher is an American actor of Moroccan and Cajun descent. Recent television and film credits include Bull; Law & Order: SVU; The Downpour; What Came After; Docket 32357; Alternatino (Comedy Central) and the title role in the feature film Marjoun and The Flying Headscarf. She began acting for both stage and screen during her youth in New York City, where she also trained in Opera (Mezzo-Soprano), Modern Dance, and Tap. She graduated from Middlebury College with high honors in Theatre and Arabic. Veracity has performed as lead singer for her band, VIOLETS, at venues across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

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Muhammad

Ismail's father. A strong leader of the household that cares for his family but is still deeply affected by never seeing his homeland and his grandfather's struggle as a refuge. He objects to Farha, Ismail’s mother, when she gives Ismail a Keffiyeh scarf because he is scared of the possible violence that his son may face. He delivers a powerful monologue about his homeland and his deepest fears to Ismail.

Played by Nasser Faris

Nasser Faris is an American actor, writer, producer originally from Egypt. He grew up in Los Angeles, CA. Although Faris has been acting throughout his life in theater, he began studying and acting professionally in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. Faris studied acting at the Wooly Mammoth Theater and the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, DC, the Herbert-Berghoff Studios in New York and the Beverly Hills Playhouse and the Groundlings in Los Angeles. He most recently starred in the world premier of "Two Things You Don't Talk About at Dinner" by Lisa Loomer at The Denver Center Theatre and "Rafta, Rafta" at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. His stage credits include the Moscow Arts Theatre's "The Shelter" at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles which received five Ovation Award nominations, including Best Ensemble. He has also worked on the films Jarhead and Ocean's 12

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Farha

Ismail’s mother. A warm, religious, and nurturing woman with incredible pride and love for culture and heritage that loves and greatly values the idea of family. She wants Ismail to embrace and be proud of his culture despite the fear of violence. She has also been deeply affected by being kicked out of her homeland but strives for family unity. She gifts Ismail a Keffiyeh scarf, sparking his internal struggle of identity.

Played by Leyla Modirzadeh

Leyla Modirzadeh is an Iranian American performer, visual artist, and educator. She has acted in theatres across the country including Wisdom Bridge Theatre, (Chicago), A Contemporary Theatre, The Group Theatre, (Seattle), The Kennedy Center, (DC), Golden Thread Theatre (SF), Speakeasy Stage (Boston), New York Theatre Workshop, Noor Theatre, and The Clarke Theatre at Lincoln Center (NYC). She founded Two Little Heads Productions, a film and video production company in New York City.

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Khalid

Ismail’s younger brother. He represents the loss of Palestinian culture through future generations and shows the long term effects of colonization and displacement of indigenous people. He is very Americanized and has little knowledge of homeland, fixated with popular culture and “icons”, a deep contrast to Ismail’s lack of idolization.

Played by Jade Ziane

Jade Ziane is an actor, writer, producer known for 90 Beats Per Minute, FBI: Most Wanted (2020) and The Milk Tea (2018). Previous Off Broadway credits include: Mint in Tennessee Williams 1982 at SOHO Rep; Piero in Big Love at Michael Schimmel Center; Ali in Queens Blvd at Theatre Row.

IMDb

Faris

Ismail’s grandfather’s brother who was martyred as a child. In the film, he represents the youthful hope of the future and innocence in humanity.

The Photographer (Isaac)

A successful photographer that interviews Ismail for an assistant job. He creates a subtle conflict during the interview when he asks Ismail what country he's from. After receiving the job offer from him, Ismail is told to meet at a photoshoot at the same time as Leila’s poetry reading, forcing Ismail to choose between the two.

Played by Ron Fallica

Ron Fallica is an American actor, producer, director, and portrait photographer from Long Island, New York known for Stranger Things (2016), Drought (2020) and Good Behavior (2016).

Website

IMDb