Doors of Mercy
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
Thousands of Egyptians have been born out of wedlock in a society that stigmatizes and refuses to recognize them. They are even denied access to basic education, health care, and the right to vote. Doors of Mercy will tell their story and seeks to obliterate the very notion of "Illegitimacy."
Doors of Mercy
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,800 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
22 supporters | followers
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Thousands of Egyptians have been born out of wedlock in a society that stigmatizes and refuses to recognize them. They are even denied access to basic education, health care, and the right to vote. Doors of Mercy will tell their story and seeks to obliterate the very notion of "Illegitimacy."
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Nadia is a single working mother of a newborn baby in Cairo. Her daughter, Laila, has been born out of wedlock in a society in which there is no greater shame. Having decided to keep her baby against her family’s wishes of an abortion, both Nadia and Laila have become outcasts. Doors of Mercy follows Nadia’s struggle as she copes with both her family and a legal system designed to conceal and oppress children like Laila. As her baby falls ill, Nadia fights to obtain a birth certificate. Without it, her baby will not be given access to the medical care she so desperately needs.
Without anyone to help her, Nadia takes Laila into Cairo’s chaotic streets to get her the help she needs. Nadia goes up against her rigid society and conservative government to fight the system and ease the stigma that is destined to dominate Leila’s life. Facing a family who is ashamed of her, endless government bureaucracy, and denial from the baby’s father, the odds are not in Nadia’s favor. With a mother’s love and determination, she forges ahead.
Nadia’s struggle represents the struggle of so many women in Egyptian society. A woman with a loving family can suddenly end up alone in the world without even basic resources. Independent working women end up captives in their own homes with their babies, burdened with their families’ shame. So called “illegitimate” children grow up without access to education, health care, or citizenship.
From Nadia’s situation, she also draws strength as do countless women and children in Egypt in this predicament. She stands up and fights for the right of her and her child to exist, to be recognized, and to thrive in the face of her hypocritical society.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Alexa mini
Costs $1,000
the compactness of the camera will be essential because it's so practical. also it has the quality of film which is what we're going for .
Government agency office
Costs $700
we will rent an office and dress it up as the GOV agencies in Egypt to show the bureaucracy.
Downtown Exterior
Costs $500
we will shoot in Cairo's downtown street live location which require permits and police presence with 50 extras in the background
Transportaion
Costs $300
we will rent a micro-bus for transportation during the whole period of the shoot
catering and crafty
Costs $600
we will provide water and craft services throughout the shoot for the the crew and lunch meal
production designers
Costs $700
we're planning to gather a professional art department for dressing up the locations which the main element of successful movies
Pregnant pillow , baby doll
Costs $600
we will need to ship a pregnant pillow from the US to Cairo to maintain quality and rent a baby doll
Camera and grip department crew
Costs $2,000
we will hire a professional camera and grip crew to fasten the pace of the shoot and maintain quality
Arri light kit
Costs $1,000
lights are essential to maintain a specific look and reflect the emotions of the characters
Casting room
Costs $200
We will need to rent a place to host casting, printings and announcements
Hard Drives
Costs $600
we will buy hard disks to copy and the save the footage on and also for backup
lead actress
Costs $1,000
it's important to get a professional Egyptian actress because the story all depends on her performance
editor & colorist
Costs $700
we will need to hire an editor and a colorist to start working after the shoot right away
composer
Costs $600
composer's fees
Cannes and other international festivals
Costs $500
it's important for short films to get exposure and recognition to participate in film festivals
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Abdallah El Daly an Egyptian Fulbright scholar, filmmaking student currently finishing my M.A. in New York Film Academy. I started working as a TV reporter at MBC, the biggest entertainment network in the Middle East, from the age of 19 to 24. During that time, I interviewed people such as British prime minister "Tony Blair" and Egyptian president "Abd-Elfattah El sisi" , and covered events such as the Egyptian revolution and two presidential elections. Out of hundreds of applicants, was one of the few Egyptian's filmmakers picked for the Fulbright grant in 2016. Since starting here, I have written and directed two short films and two musical montages. I have also Worked on a feature film produced by Sony pictures. also many independent and student films.
Mridul sen is an Indian based cinematographer graduated with a degree in cinematography from New York Film Academy. She is pursuing her career with passion and wants to tell stories visually through narrating the directors vision. Being brought up in a family who is actively a part of the film industry she naturally found her passion in the field. She has worked in the Indian film industry with one of the leading cinematographers Binod Pradhan
Nadine Abdelazim - born and raised in Cairo, Egypt - is a 3D Animator and Visual Effects artist. I accomplished the one year 3D animation and Visual Effects program at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. I got my bachelor degree in Multimedia Design from the German University in Cairo. Throughout my work, I developed an interest in modeling, animation, texturing & lighting, and compositing
Sonja Tsypin is a cinematographer born and raised in New York City and currently based in Los Angeles. Sonja has photographed award-winning films ranging in form, content, and genre and she is committed to always finding fresh way of bringing each story to life through the visuals. She recently recieved First Place in the international 2016 KODAK Cinematography Scholarship Awards for her short film POWDER ROOM. Sonja comes from a background in fine art and she approaches cinematography as a culmination of the various artforms that she has explored over the years including painting, sculpture, installation, and performance art. Her artwork was awarded two regional Gold Keys and a national Gold Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Sonja is currently studying towards a master's degree in cinematography at the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory in Los Angeles.
Ahmed Elkady - An Electronics Engineer, born in France and Raised in Cairo, Egypt. Ahmed has turned his interest to location scouting due to his passion for discovering new cutlures, exploring hidden locations, photography and meeting new people.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Nadia is a single working mother of a newborn baby in Cairo. Her daughter, Laila, has been born out of wedlock in a society in which there is no greater shame. Having decided to keep her baby against her family’s wishes of an abortion, both Nadia and Laila have become outcasts. Doors of Mercy follows Nadia’s struggle as she copes with both her family and a legal system designed to conceal and oppress children like Laila. As her baby falls ill, Nadia fights to obtain a birth certificate. Without it, her baby will not be given access to the medical care she so desperately needs.
Without anyone to help her, Nadia takes Laila into Cairo’s chaotic streets to get her the help she needs. Nadia goes up against her rigid society and conservative government to fight the system and ease the stigma that is destined to dominate Leila’s life. Facing a family who is ashamed of her, endless government bureaucracy, and denial from the baby’s father, the odds are not in Nadia’s favor. With a mother’s love and determination, she forges ahead.
Nadia’s struggle represents the struggle of so many women in Egyptian society. A woman with a loving family can suddenly end up alone in the world without even basic resources. Independent working women end up captives in their own homes with their babies, burdened with their families’ shame. So called “illegitimate” children grow up without access to education, health care, or citizenship.
From Nadia’s situation, she also draws strength as do countless women and children in Egypt in this predicament. She stands up and fights for the right of her and her child to exist, to be recognized, and to thrive in the face of her hypocritical society.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Alexa mini
Costs $1,000
the compactness of the camera will be essential because it's so practical. also it has the quality of film which is what we're going for .
Government agency office
Costs $700
we will rent an office and dress it up as the GOV agencies in Egypt to show the bureaucracy.
Downtown Exterior
Costs $500
we will shoot in Cairo's downtown street live location which require permits and police presence with 50 extras in the background
Transportaion
Costs $300
we will rent a micro-bus for transportation during the whole period of the shoot
catering and crafty
Costs $600
we will provide water and craft services throughout the shoot for the the crew and lunch meal
production designers
Costs $700
we're planning to gather a professional art department for dressing up the locations which the main element of successful movies
Pregnant pillow , baby doll
Costs $600
we will need to ship a pregnant pillow from the US to Cairo to maintain quality and rent a baby doll
Camera and grip department crew
Costs $2,000
we will hire a professional camera and grip crew to fasten the pace of the shoot and maintain quality
Arri light kit
Costs $1,000
lights are essential to maintain a specific look and reflect the emotions of the characters
Casting room
Costs $200
We will need to rent a place to host casting, printings and announcements
Hard Drives
Costs $600
we will buy hard disks to copy and the save the footage on and also for backup
lead actress
Costs $1,000
it's important to get a professional Egyptian actress because the story all depends on her performance
editor & colorist
Costs $700
we will need to hire an editor and a colorist to start working after the shoot right away
composer
Costs $600
composer's fees
Cannes and other international festivals
Costs $500
it's important for short films to get exposure and recognition to participate in film festivals
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Abdallah El Daly an Egyptian Fulbright scholar, filmmaking student currently finishing my M.A. in New York Film Academy. I started working as a TV reporter at MBC, the biggest entertainment network in the Middle East, from the age of 19 to 24. During that time, I interviewed people such as British prime minister "Tony Blair" and Egyptian president "Abd-Elfattah El sisi" , and covered events such as the Egyptian revolution and two presidential elections. Out of hundreds of applicants, was one of the few Egyptian's filmmakers picked for the Fulbright grant in 2016. Since starting here, I have written and directed two short films and two musical montages. I have also Worked on a feature film produced by Sony pictures. also many independent and student films.
Mridul sen is an Indian based cinematographer graduated with a degree in cinematography from New York Film Academy. She is pursuing her career with passion and wants to tell stories visually through narrating the directors vision. Being brought up in a family who is actively a part of the film industry she naturally found her passion in the field. She has worked in the Indian film industry with one of the leading cinematographers Binod Pradhan
Nadine Abdelazim - born and raised in Cairo, Egypt - is a 3D Animator and Visual Effects artist. I accomplished the one year 3D animation and Visual Effects program at New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. I got my bachelor degree in Multimedia Design from the German University in Cairo. Throughout my work, I developed an interest in modeling, animation, texturing & lighting, and compositing
Sonja Tsypin is a cinematographer born and raised in New York City and currently based in Los Angeles. Sonja has photographed award-winning films ranging in form, content, and genre and she is committed to always finding fresh way of bringing each story to life through the visuals. She recently recieved First Place in the international 2016 KODAK Cinematography Scholarship Awards for her short film POWDER ROOM. Sonja comes from a background in fine art and she approaches cinematography as a culmination of the various artforms that she has explored over the years including painting, sculpture, installation, and performance art. Her artwork was awarded two regional Gold Keys and a national Gold Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Sonja is currently studying towards a master's degree in cinematography at the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory in Los Angeles.
Ahmed Elkady - An Electronics Engineer, born in France and Raised in Cairo, Egypt. Ahmed has turned his interest to location scouting due to his passion for discovering new cutlures, exploring hidden locations, photography and meeting new people.