FIREWALL
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama, Fantasy
The world has yet to see Persian Mythology on the big screen, and we want to change that. This project is not just a film; it's a bridge between ancient Persian lore and the ongoing struggles of Iranians fighting for their fundamental human rights.
Green Light
This campaign raised $30,810 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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The world has yet to see Persian Mythology on the big screen, and we want to change that. This project is not just a film; it's a bridge between ancient Persian lore and the ongoing struggles of Iranians fighting for their fundamental human rights.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY:
Logline: Ancient Persian mythology collides with reality as Ani, a teen in the suburbs of Texas, navigates adolescence amidst her father's absence.
The Legend of Zahhak the Serpent King:
"Once upon a time, in ancient Persia, there lived a prince named Zahhak.
Zahhak was a greedy prince whose thirst for power knew no bounds.
Driven by his greed he made a deal with the devil to gain ultimate power over the land. However, this power came at a terrible price.
Zahhak was cursed with two serpents who grew from his shoulders, with a relentless hunger for the brains of young boys.
If he failed to feed the serpents, they would turn their hunger towards him and devour his own brain.
Zahhak's rule was marked by tyranny and cruelty. He oppressed the people of Persia, instilling fear to maintain control. Attempts to remove the serpents were no good; they always grew back.
But amidst the tyranny, a hero emerged. Feraydun, fueled by a desire to end Zahhak's reign of terror, led a revolution against the Serpent King and confronted him in a battle that shook the very foundations of the Kingdom.
In a climactic showdown between good and evil, Feraydun emerged victorious, defeating Zahhak and freeing Persia from his grip.
The people rejoiced, celebrating the triumph of justice over oppression.
The legend of Zahhak serves as a reminder that even the most evil tyrants can be brought down by the courage and resilience of those who dare to stand against them."
"Firewall" follows the journey of Ani, a teenage Iranian-Texan girl, navigating adolescence while her father is stranded in Iran due to political unrest. Their connection is severed by a government-imposed internet firewall, leaving Ani to grapple with the challenges of separation and cultural identity in the digital age.
Amidst her father's absence, Ani yearns to maintain a connection to her cultural heritage. In a school presentation on mythological figures, she shares the ancient Persian legend of Zahhak to her class. To Ani's surprise, her father returns home that very day.
Grateful yet perplexed, Ani spends the night bonding with him, hoping to make up for lost time, but something doesn't feel quite right. A sense of unease lingers as mysterious occurrences intertwine her reality with Persian mythology, blurring the lines between truth and legend.
Behind the scene of Bita's short film Maryam Joon (2017) - WATCH HERE
MOOD BOARD:
WHAT WE NEED THE FUNDS FOR:
We were generously awarded Richard Linklater's Austin Film Society Short Film Grant and the MPS Lighting and Camera Grant, but we still need funds to make this film come together!
TIMELINE:
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR FILM:
Your contributions are essential for production expenses including:
- securing diverse and authentic locations that reflect the film's unique Iranian-Texan setting
- casting the perfect actors
- recording a soundtrack that intertwines Persian musical heritage with a contemporary score
- paying our cast and crew a fair wage
- creating wardrobes that accurately represent our characters' identities
- and more!
Behind the scene of Bita's short film Maryam Joon (2017) - WATCH HERE
THE "WISHLIST" TAB GIVES YOU A SENSE OF WHAT WE NEED THE FUNDS FOR, EVEN A $20 CONTRIBUTION GOES A LONG WAY!
FOLLOW @PILLARBOXED ON SOCIALS TO GET UPDATES ON OUR JOURNEY - https://www.instagram.com/pillarboxed/
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $3,000
Help us secure the perfect locations for the shoot!
School Bus
Costs $500
This is an essential part of the story, and can get pricey!
Cast
Costs $3,000
We want to find and cast the right actors for this project, so we'll be conducting a nationwide casting call.
Crew
Costs $8,000
We want to pay our crew for their talents and hard work!
Film Stock & Development
Costs $7,000
Our dream is to shoot this on 35mm film!
Production Design
Costs $3,500
These costs will be used for props and set design to help bring the concept to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM:
Bita Ghassemi, Tiger Hill, and Ellen Culver, the co-founders of PILLARBOXED, have worked on countless projects together that have screened at a multitude of film festivals and venues around the world including SXSW, the Berlinale, and The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.
MORE ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Bita Ghassemi is an award-winning Iranian-Texan writer, director, and photographer from Austin, Texas. Her socially conscious films explore themes such as censorship, loss of innocence, and the duality of her own cultural existence.
Her Persian roots, time spent living in Berlin, Beijing, and Texas, and dedication to learning about different cultures and languages influence her universal stories that people from all cultures and backgrounds can relate to.
Read more about her filmmaking journey here: This Iranian-Texan Filmmaker's Story Is One You Should Know
MORE ABOUT THE CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Born in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in a small speed trap town in Texas, Tiger is an Austin-based cinematographer versed in narrative, commercial, music video, and documentary filmmaking.
Through cinematography, Tiger hopes to shed light on voices and stories often ignored.
MORE ABOUT THE EDITOR:
Ellen Culver is a film editor from Houston, Texas. She’s worked on campaigns for brands like Instagram, Academy, and Whole Foods. Her narrative work has screened at festivals around the world, and she hopes to continue working on stories that uplift marginalized voices into the mainstream.
OTHER CREW MEMBERS:
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY:
Logline: Ancient Persian mythology collides with reality as Ani, a teen in the suburbs of Texas, navigates adolescence amidst her father's absence.
The Legend of Zahhak the Serpent King:
"Once upon a time, in ancient Persia, there lived a prince named Zahhak.
Zahhak was a greedy prince whose thirst for power knew no bounds.
Driven by his greed he made a deal with the devil to gain ultimate power over the land. However, this power came at a terrible price.
Zahhak was cursed with two serpents who grew from his shoulders, with a relentless hunger for the brains of young boys.
If he failed to feed the serpents, they would turn their hunger towards him and devour his own brain.
Zahhak's rule was marked by tyranny and cruelty. He oppressed the people of Persia, instilling fear to maintain control. Attempts to remove the serpents were no good; they always grew back.
But amidst the tyranny, a hero emerged. Feraydun, fueled by a desire to end Zahhak's reign of terror, led a revolution against the Serpent King and confronted him in a battle that shook the very foundations of the Kingdom.
In a climactic showdown between good and evil, Feraydun emerged victorious, defeating Zahhak and freeing Persia from his grip.
The people rejoiced, celebrating the triumph of justice over oppression.
The legend of Zahhak serves as a reminder that even the most evil tyrants can be brought down by the courage and resilience of those who dare to stand against them."
"Firewall" follows the journey of Ani, a teenage Iranian-Texan girl, navigating adolescence while her father is stranded in Iran due to political unrest. Their connection is severed by a government-imposed internet firewall, leaving Ani to grapple with the challenges of separation and cultural identity in the digital age.
Amidst her father's absence, Ani yearns to maintain a connection to her cultural heritage. In a school presentation on mythological figures, she shares the ancient Persian legend of Zahhak to her class. To Ani's surprise, her father returns home that very day.
Grateful yet perplexed, Ani spends the night bonding with him, hoping to make up for lost time, but something doesn't feel quite right. A sense of unease lingers as mysterious occurrences intertwine her reality with Persian mythology, blurring the lines between truth and legend.
Behind the scene of Bita's short film Maryam Joon (2017) - WATCH HERE
MOOD BOARD:
WHAT WE NEED THE FUNDS FOR:
We were generously awarded Richard Linklater's Austin Film Society Short Film Grant and the MPS Lighting and Camera Grant, but we still need funds to make this film come together!
TIMELINE:
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR FILM:
Your contributions are essential for production expenses including:
- securing diverse and authentic locations that reflect the film's unique Iranian-Texan setting
- casting the perfect actors
- recording a soundtrack that intertwines Persian musical heritage with a contemporary score
- paying our cast and crew a fair wage
- creating wardrobes that accurately represent our characters' identities
- and more!
Behind the scene of Bita's short film Maryam Joon (2017) - WATCH HERE
THE "WISHLIST" TAB GIVES YOU A SENSE OF WHAT WE NEED THE FUNDS FOR, EVEN A $20 CONTRIBUTION GOES A LONG WAY!
FOLLOW @PILLARBOXED ON SOCIALS TO GET UPDATES ON OUR JOURNEY - https://www.instagram.com/pillarboxed/
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $3,000
Help us secure the perfect locations for the shoot!
School Bus
Costs $500
This is an essential part of the story, and can get pricey!
Cast
Costs $3,000
We want to find and cast the right actors for this project, so we'll be conducting a nationwide casting call.
Crew
Costs $8,000
We want to pay our crew for their talents and hard work!
Film Stock & Development
Costs $7,000
Our dream is to shoot this on 35mm film!
Production Design
Costs $3,500
These costs will be used for props and set design to help bring the concept to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
THE TEAM:
Bita Ghassemi, Tiger Hill, and Ellen Culver, the co-founders of PILLARBOXED, have worked on countless projects together that have screened at a multitude of film festivals and venues around the world including SXSW, the Berlinale, and The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston.
MORE ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Bita Ghassemi is an award-winning Iranian-Texan writer, director, and photographer from Austin, Texas. Her socially conscious films explore themes such as censorship, loss of innocence, and the duality of her own cultural existence.
Her Persian roots, time spent living in Berlin, Beijing, and Texas, and dedication to learning about different cultures and languages influence her universal stories that people from all cultures and backgrounds can relate to.
Read more about her filmmaking journey here: This Iranian-Texan Filmmaker's Story Is One You Should Know
MORE ABOUT THE CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Born in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee, and raised in a small speed trap town in Texas, Tiger is an Austin-based cinematographer versed in narrative, commercial, music video, and documentary filmmaking.
Through cinematography, Tiger hopes to shed light on voices and stories often ignored.
MORE ABOUT THE EDITOR:
Ellen Culver is a film editor from Houston, Texas. She’s worked on campaigns for brands like Instagram, Academy, and Whole Foods. Her narrative work has screened at festivals around the world, and she hopes to continue working on stories that uplift marginalized voices into the mainstream.
OTHER CREW MEMBERS: