Do you care about: Immigration? Comedy? Dogs? Our film is based on Akanksha Cruczynski's real life. Akanksha, an immigrant from India, has not been able to see her family in years. Her sister's visa to the US was rejected 7 years ago. She's had to find support in the rich people's dogs she dogsits.
Do you care about: Immigration? Comedy? Dogs? Our film is based on Akanksha Cruczynski's real life. Akanksha, an immigrant from India, has not been able to see her family in years. Her sister's visa to the US was rejected 7 years ago. She's had to find support in the rich people's dogs she dogsits.
-
Story
Mission Statement
The writer/director/star of this film is an immigrant woman from India who grew up in Saudi Arabia. Our film showcases the nuanced complexities of the broken immigration system, how it tears families apart, and how we end up having to look for support systems in unlikely places.About The Project
Our Story
Akanksha Cruczynski* moved to the States 11 years ago to go to college after growing up in Saudi Arabia and India. A few years ago Akanksha's mom applied for visas to the US for her and Akanksha's sister to go visit her. Her sister's visa was denied, under Immigration Clause Section 214(b): "inability to prove close ties to home country." Immigrants to the US everywhere are very familiar with this clause, having to plan for it any time they go in for a visa interview—and it is not uncommon for immigration officials to deny the visa of one member of the family, to give the rest of the family "a reason to go back."
What's this clause about? Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act:
"any temporary visitor must prove Strong Family, Social & Economic Ties to Home Country." Hence our title, Close Ties to Home Country.
- "Strong ties are powerful and irrefutable reasons that would force an applicant to return to their home country, such as:
- - employment
- - dependent family members
- - properties
- - income-generating businesses."
Akanksha's sister was 17 at the time. She had just graduated high school. She didn't yet have a job, or any dependent family members, or any properties, or any income-generating businesses. Her visa was unreasonably denied and Akanksha hasn't seen her in seven years.
*not Polish. For a description, see Akanksha's bio.
Mission Statement
We wanted to make this film because of the overabundance of misinformation about immigration. The political administration has tried to divide and conquer, by trying to create two armies of "good immigrants" vs. "bad immigrants." We wanted to communicate that, even if you do everything "right," even if you immigrate here "legally" and follow every law, the system is still designed to work against you. The immigration system in this country is horrifically broken, and amongst local Americans, there is an enormous lack of awareness or understanding about the nuances of complexities forced upon immigrants to prove their value to this economy.
It is truly a testament to time that for a nation made of immigrants, there is little knowledge of how confounding, calculatedly, systemically oppressive the process now is to become one—particularly if you come from a non-Western nation or are not white.
A proud recipient of the Albert P. Weisman Award, a film grant awarded to outstanding projects, Close Ties to Home Country is Akanksha Cruczynski's graduate thesis film for her Master of Fine Arts degree at Columbia College. It is also an effort to create a dialogue about the trauma of not having seen her sister in seven years—a story she shares with immigrants all over the United States and elsewhere.
Synopsis
Our film follows Akanksha, a kind and well-meaning immigrant woman, who misses her family very much. In the meantime, she's found home in the hearts of the rich people’s dogs she dog-sits while they’re away on vacation or celebrating Christmas with families. Akanksha’s younger sister, back home in India, tries to come visit Akanksha but has her visa denied, literally tearing Akanksha’s family apart and destroying her vision of America as the land of the free.
In Akanksha's real life, she spends holidays—the times hardest being away from family—dogsitting, finding a support system in dogs that aren't hers. Dogs are so open and willing to love everyone. They don't see color, or class, or race, or national origin. Our project takes a real, lived experience from a fresh voice and uses comedy as a social and political tool to raise awareness—and hopefully, ultimately, affect real change.
We chose comedy as our genre because it is our strongest suit. Everyone likes to laugh—and with a topic this heavy, some comic relief is welcome! Comedy is a keen way to build bridges, foster relationships, and bring cultures together. And that's what this film is about—how and where we end up having to look for support and connection.
But taking on such a big mission costs MONEY!!! This is where you, viewer, supporter, dog-lover come in. Columbia students are on their own when funding their projects, and we need money to make this important film. We can NOT do this without you. Donating via Seed & Spark is a wonderfully safe way to be a part of this project. Please consider donating and helping tell this crucial story.
FAQs
Where will the money go?
Filmmaking is a very expensive artform. We're trying to raise funds to secure talent, rent locations, rent the right equipment for our shoot, rent trucks with lift gates to transport equipment, procure the necessary art to create the world for the film, purchase props and wardrobes, feed our cast and crew, secure insurance and permits, cover legal fees... the list goes on. All of our cast and crew are working for free, but we need the money to fund all of the rest! All funds raised will go towards the production of Close Ties to Home Country as explained further on the Wishlist Page.
How else can we help support?
You can do so much! By paying attention to stories different than our own, by listening, by sharing—that is how we facilitate change. Please help spread the word about our film—share this page with your friends, tell them about Drummond the Therapy Dog, and keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
What happens next?
Principal photography is scheduled for July 2019. Our film will be completed in the fall of 2019, when we gear up for a year-long festival run. Our team is taking the film to pitch a proof-of-concept for a comedy-drama television series to potential investors, at film markets, and at pitch competitions. In addition, we intend to partner with civic advisors and local grassroots organizations to develop and execute a social impact campaign surrounding the exhibition of the film.
Incentives
$15
Special Thanks
Get a "Special Thanks" in the credits section of our film!
$30
Drummond Love PLUS Special Thanks!
A personalized email postcard from Drummond the Therapy Dog PLUS a special thanks in the credits section of our film!
$75
Tote Bag PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
We have a variety of tote bags. These are some prototypes. Carry your groceries in adorable style! One tote bag plus all of the perks mentioned above.
$100
Sneak Peek PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Watch the film before anyone else PLUS get a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!
$200
Invitation to the Premiere PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Get invited to the Close Ties to Home Country official premiere (plus a tote bag of your choice and all of the perks mentioned above!)
$500
Authentic Indian Sari PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Get an authentic Indian sari from India, plus an invitation to the premiere and all of the perks mentioned above! We can try our best to accommodate your color requests. Just get in touch with us!
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit (PLUS invitation to the premiere, tote bag, Drummond Love, & Special Thanks!)
Come on board as an Associate Producer for our film (PLUS get an invitation the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!)
$2,500
Executive Producer Credit (PLUS an invitation to the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks!)
Come on board our team as Executive Producer, PLUS get an invitation the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Special Thanks
Get a "Special Thanks" in the credits section of our film!
$30
Drummond Love PLUS Special Thanks!
A personalized email postcard from Drummond the Therapy Dog PLUS a special thanks in the credits section of our film!
$75
Tote Bag PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
We have a variety of tote bags. These are some prototypes. Carry your groceries in adorable style! One tote bag plus all of the perks mentioned above.
$100
Sneak Peek PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Watch the film before anyone else PLUS get a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!
$200
Invitation to the Premiere PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Get invited to the Close Ties to Home Country official premiere (plus a tote bag of your choice and all of the perks mentioned above!)
$500
Authentic Indian Sari PLUS all of the perks mentioned above!
Get an authentic Indian sari from India, plus an invitation to the premiere and all of the perks mentioned above! We can try our best to accommodate your color requests. Just get in touch with us!
$1,000
Associate Producer Credit (PLUS invitation to the premiere, tote bag, Drummond Love, & Special Thanks!)
Come on board as an Associate Producer for our film (PLUS get an invitation the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!)
$2,500
Executive Producer Credit (PLUS an invitation to the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks!)
Come on board our team as Executive Producer, PLUS get an invitation the premiere, a tote bag of your choice, Drummond Love AND special thanks on our film!
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
Akanksha Cruczynski, Writer/Director/"Akanksha"
Born in India and having grown up in Saudi Arabia, Akanksha has had access to women’s lives in worlds so different from this one, and knows the importance of telling their stories. She grew up on films and television from the west and from Bollywood, and learned the power and influence of film, more any other medium, to capture and communicate reality across cultures. After moving to the States by herself at 17 she learned how narratives can be biased and how it would have to be the responsibility of people like her—people who have diverse perspectives and have had experiences across the human rights spectrum—to tell stories honestly, authentically, and vulnerably. She has worked in Chicago as a comedian and independent filmmaker for the last several years, producing, writing, directing and starring in various short films. Akanksha believes in affecting social change by documenting systemic problems, always showcasing the purchasing power of privilege and how it tears our world to pieces—economically, socially, environmentally, physically and spiritually.
Felicia Ferrara, Producer
Felicia is a freelance producer and filmmaker born in the Midwest and raised in Southern Africa. A recipient of the UWC Davis Scholarship Award, she studied film at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and creative producing at Columbia College. While living in NYC, she assisted producers Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler, known for producing critically acclaimed films such as Carol, Far From Heaven, Boys Don't Cry, and Velvet Goldmine. Felicia is currently in development on a feature film adaptation of South African author André Brink’s The Other Side of Silence. Her production experience includes planning and organizing shoots, integrating creative and technical teams to their highest production potential. She has overseen projects from development to exhibition, while ensuring high quality deliverables. Learn more about her work here.
Sophia Rafiqi, "Sophia"
Sophia is a Pakistani-American actor/comedian born and raised in Chicagoland. After graduating from Northwestern University, she began training at iO Chicago and The Second City, most recently earning a spot in NBC Universal's Bob Curry Fellowship. She can be seen improvising at iO Chicago and producing original sketch comedy throughout the city. Recent credits include NBC Universal's Breakout Comedy Festival and acceptance of her original web content into the 2017 New York Television Film Festival. Sophia grew up with a dance background, training for 12+ years in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern dance, and is also fluent in Urdu and Punjabi.
Drummond the Therapy Dog (Registered Therapy Dog), "Timothée"Drummond is a registered therapy dog who is 6 years old and has a passion for helping clients’ learn about setting boundaries. Drummond loves to cuddle and is always looking for a lap to lay upon. Fortunately, he also respects the word “No,” and will gracefully take a nap if his cuddles are not wanted. He is the co-star of Close Ties to Home Country where he plays English bulldog "Timothée" (not named after Timothée Chalamet).
Charlotte the Hype Dog
Charlotte is Drummond's girlfriend and she joins this production as the hype dog and general on-set support.
Luke Dyra, Director of Photography
Luke Dyra is cinematographer based in Chicago, Illinois and Nashville, Tennessee. Having worked on over 300 creative projects as a cinematographer, camera operator, gaffer and grip, Luke enjoys creating unique visuals for clients, ranging from niche narrative works to high-end commercials. See some of his work here.
Amy Tompkins, Production Designer
Amy is a freelance production designer and creative director based in Colorado. She studied film at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has worked as a freelance production designer on numerous film projects. She currently works as the Creative Director for Emerge, an online training program dedicated to spiritual growth.
-
Media
Videos
Images
-
Community
Supporters
Followers