In Honor Of
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Drama
Sarah comes home to a family gathering in her childhood backyard but there is a sense that something is not right. A succession of flashbacks reveal her loving family to be somewhat darker than initially supposed. This party is in fact her tribunal and she will not leave alive.
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Sarah comes home to a family gathering in her childhood backyard but there is a sense that something is not right. A succession of flashbacks reveal her loving family to be somewhat darker than initially supposed. This party is in fact her tribunal and she will not leave alive.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
INSPIRATION
This short film was inspired by a newspaper article written over 10 years ago. It detailed the execution of a young woman by her own family in the swimming pool in their back garden. Family and friends were invited to witness the event so that balance and honor could be restored to the community. The woman’s crime was that she did not adhere to what the family demanded of her. Our film is inspired by, not based on, this event. In our film, the young woman's family disapproves of her lover and her unmarried state. That is her only crime.The aim of the film is not to judge the family or any culture which condones such ‘honor killings.’ Rather it is to explore the feelings of love, fear, sadness and betrayal that one might experience when being sentenced to death by those who are supposed to love and protect you.
WHAT ARE HONOR KILLINGS?"
"An honor killing is the homicide of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the perpetrators' belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family or community, usually for reasons such as refusing to enter an arranged marriage, being in a relationship that is disapproved by their relatives, having sex outside marriage, becoming the victim of rape, dressing in ways which are deemed inappropriate, or engaging in homosexual relations." - Wikipedia
According to the United Nations, there are over 5,000 cases of murder due to honor killings reported around the world each year.
These murders often go unreported. Women’s rights organizations working in South Asia and the Middle East estimate that over 20,000 women are honor killed each year.
A 2010 study indicates that the average age of honor killing victims is between 15 – 25 .
According to an Amnesty International report "The regime of honor is unforgiving: women on whom suspicion has fallen are not given an opportunity to defend themselves, and family members have no socially acceptable alternative but to remove the stain on their honour by attacking the woman"
OUR FILM
With our film we aim to raise awareness of this terrible worldwide issue. We do not aim to point fingers at any denomination, be it religious or cultural. Our intent is to make a film that allows the audience to experience what it might be like to be the individual that this is the subject of such an atrocity; what it might feel like to be turned on and executed by your family - the people who love you the most. Our hope is to create a visceral experience that will not readily be forgotten.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
HD - Arri Alexa
Costs $750
Our film is a very visual piece and we need the best camera possible in order to tell our story.
Lenses - Arri / Zeiss Ultra Prime Set
Costs $750
Better lenses means more beautiful footage to bring our story to life.
Monitors - External Monitors
Costs $100
Our team needs to see what they are shooting - bigger monitors mean we won't miss anything
Mixers - Sound Devices 302 3 Channel Mixer
Costs $175
Sound can make or break a film. We need ours to be just right.
Wired Microphones - Comtek M-216 Option 7 Transmitter
Costs $75
We want our actor's to be heard!
Makeup Kit
Costs $50
We have a lot of actors in our film. We need to keep them all pretty and shine-free.
Wardrobe Stylist
Costs $100
We need to dress our ensemble cast and they all need to look the part. They are almost in uniform.
Location Rental Fee
Costs $4,500
This is a very affluent family. To be able to tell the story, we need a suitable house.
Backup Hard Drive
Costs $200
So that we don't lose any of our hard earned, beautiful footage.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
Our party guests need to appear to be in somewhat of a uniform. Their suits and dresses must match.
Share this update!
About This Team
We have an INCREDIBLE team assembled and ready to go.
BEN MEARS - Director
Ben is a Los Angeles based director who produces, shoots, and edits branded content for a living. His work has been commissioned by fashion designers, creative agencies, small start-ups, and major entertainment companies alike. Ben's happiest any time he's working with creative people and doing things that broaden his perspective of the world and the people in it. His latest theatrical short, The Black Tulip won the prize for best short film at the 2013 London International Festival of Science Fiction. http://benjaminmears.com/
ANDREA MONIER - Producer
Andrea is originally from Tucson, AZ where she graduated Valedictorian of her high school class, went on to receive Cum Laude honors and a degree in Engineering and a minor in Theater Arts from the University of Arizona. Once Andrea arrived in Los Angeles, she began to act in independent films, including several short films and features. During her experiences, she also developed a passion for the creative process, and began to incorporate producing in her repertoire. Andrea began working for a line producer to understand the financial components and all the critical elements behind the lense. Andrea’s last film she produced was Jesse Baget’s White Knight (now known as Cellmates), which was acquired by Viva Pictures and Warner Brother’s for distribution and won 9 best picture awards at various prestigious festivals. Andrea’s last three features, “Pedestrian Crossing,” “Darius,” and “Wayward Pilgrim” will no doubt make the festival rounds as well. Andrea is currently attached to and developing several feature films, including an untitled Johnny Tapia picture with director, Eddie Alcazar.
DAN - Cinematographer
Dan Finlayson is a cinematographer from New England who now lives in Southern California. He misses the winter sometimes. He misses it from the beach, or on a film set, or in his car with the windows down. He loves shooting film whenever possible and thinks that lenses are some of the most precious, mystifying objects in the world.
JULIA ERINGER - Writer / Producer
Julia’s academic background is in philosophy and literature as well as film. She has a BA from the University of Birmingham and a Masters from the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s, London. She began her career in the development and communications department of MTV International, then became a strategist at advertising agency Euro RSCG working on campaigns for News International and The Conservative Party, among others. After training at Drama Centre, her love of film took her behind the lens, into the producer’s chair. She now acts, produces and writes and resides in Los Angeles, California.
TRACEY BECKER - Executive Producer
Tracey Becker began her career as an actress and producer in New York City and made frequent guest appearances on networks like A&E, Comedy Central and Showtime. Tracey then launched Birnam Wood, a theater and film production company dedicated to developing works by new and established writers like Murray Schisgal, Christopher Durang, Ron McLarty. She produced the highly successful Off-Broadway run of Doris Davis’ “Summer Share” that NBC TVs Jeffery Lyons called “Must-See Theater!” She then partnered with Dustin Hoffman to develop the one-hour TV drama pilot “44 Wall”. Birnam Wood optioned Allan Knee’s play “The Man Who Was Peter Pan” and developed the screenplay “Finding Neverland” with writer David Magee. Partnering with Richard Gladstein, Tracey co-produced the film for Miramax, which starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, with Marc Forster directing. “Finding Neverland” was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, winning for Best Score, in addition to winning the National Board of Review’s Best Picture honor.
Tracey then developed a series of short films for “Glamour” Magazine, featuring the directing debuts of Jennifer Aniston and Bryce Dallas Howard. Her latest film “Hysteria”, a romantic comedy set in Victorian, England directed by Tanya Wexler (“Ball in the House”), and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Rupert Everett, Jonathan Pryce and Felicity Jones, premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, and was released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2012. Tracey will next produce “The Galapagos Affair” from a script by William Boyd (“Chaplin”) for Informant Media, as well as the psychological thriller “Urban Asylum” written by Sean Farley, and “Ana’s Playground” – the feature adaptation of Eric D. Howell’s award-winning short film, for RKO Pictures.
Tracey lives in Venice, California with her husband and son. In her spare time, she sits on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Film Festival, offers screenplay consultation services through her website www.ScriptSwami.com, and is an active volunteer for her son’s elementary school, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of “From the Heart,” a non-profit which puts brand new books in the hands of disadvantaged kids in the most economically challenged areas of Los Angeles.
OUR CAST
This is entirely an ensemble piece. The film works like a jigsaw puzzle with every character providing a window into the private world of this family. We took a long time selecting the right person for each role and I am proud to have assembled an incredible cast.
Sarah - Julia Eringer
Young Sarah - Sofia Checchi
Buddy - Andrew Pierno
Young Buddy - Brandon Hender
Sonny - Jack Elliott
Young Sonny - Elliott James Thomas Moore
Love - Tony Tambi
Mother - Marina Anderson
Father - Paul Hubbard
Uncle - William Jones
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
The Story
INSPIRATION
This short film was inspired by a newspaper article written over 10 years ago. It detailed the execution of a young woman by her own family in the swimming pool in their back garden. Family and friends were invited to witness the event so that balance and honor could be restored to the community. The woman’s crime was that she did not adhere to what the family demanded of her. Our film is inspired by, not based on, this event. In our film, the young woman's family disapproves of her lover and her unmarried state. That is her only crime.The aim of the film is not to judge the family or any culture which condones such ‘honor killings.’ Rather it is to explore the feelings of love, fear, sadness and betrayal that one might experience when being sentenced to death by those who are supposed to love and protect you.
WHAT ARE HONOR KILLINGS?"
"An honor killing is the homicide of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the perpetrators' belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family or community, usually for reasons such as refusing to enter an arranged marriage, being in a relationship that is disapproved by their relatives, having sex outside marriage, becoming the victim of rape, dressing in ways which are deemed inappropriate, or engaging in homosexual relations." - Wikipedia
According to the United Nations, there are over 5,000 cases of murder due to honor killings reported around the world each year.
These murders often go unreported. Women’s rights organizations working in South Asia and the Middle East estimate that over 20,000 women are honor killed each year.
A 2010 study indicates that the average age of honor killing victims is between 15 – 25 .
According to an Amnesty International report "The regime of honor is unforgiving: women on whom suspicion has fallen are not given an opportunity to defend themselves, and family members have no socially acceptable alternative but to remove the stain on their honour by attacking the woman"
OUR FILM
With our film we aim to raise awareness of this terrible worldwide issue. We do not aim to point fingers at any denomination, be it religious or cultural. Our intent is to make a film that allows the audience to experience what it might be like to be the individual that this is the subject of such an atrocity; what it might feel like to be turned on and executed by your family - the people who love you the most. Our hope is to create a visceral experience that will not readily be forgotten.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
HD - Arri Alexa
Costs $750
Our film is a very visual piece and we need the best camera possible in order to tell our story.
Lenses - Arri / Zeiss Ultra Prime Set
Costs $750
Better lenses means more beautiful footage to bring our story to life.
Monitors - External Monitors
Costs $100
Our team needs to see what they are shooting - bigger monitors mean we won't miss anything
Mixers - Sound Devices 302 3 Channel Mixer
Costs $175
Sound can make or break a film. We need ours to be just right.
Wired Microphones - Comtek M-216 Option 7 Transmitter
Costs $75
We want our actor's to be heard!
Makeup Kit
Costs $50
We have a lot of actors in our film. We need to keep them all pretty and shine-free.
Wardrobe Stylist
Costs $100
We need to dress our ensemble cast and they all need to look the part. They are almost in uniform.
Location Rental Fee
Costs $4,500
This is a very affluent family. To be able to tell the story, we need a suitable house.
Backup Hard Drive
Costs $200
So that we don't lose any of our hard earned, beautiful footage.
Wardrobe
Costs $500
Our party guests need to appear to be in somewhat of a uniform. Their suits and dresses must match.
Share this update!
About This Team
We have an INCREDIBLE team assembled and ready to go.
BEN MEARS - Director
Ben is a Los Angeles based director who produces, shoots, and edits branded content for a living. His work has been commissioned by fashion designers, creative agencies, small start-ups, and major entertainment companies alike. Ben's happiest any time he's working with creative people and doing things that broaden his perspective of the world and the people in it. His latest theatrical short, The Black Tulip won the prize for best short film at the 2013 London International Festival of Science Fiction. http://benjaminmears.com/
ANDREA MONIER - Producer
Andrea is originally from Tucson, AZ where she graduated Valedictorian of her high school class, went on to receive Cum Laude honors and a degree in Engineering and a minor in Theater Arts from the University of Arizona. Once Andrea arrived in Los Angeles, she began to act in independent films, including several short films and features. During her experiences, she also developed a passion for the creative process, and began to incorporate producing in her repertoire. Andrea began working for a line producer to understand the financial components and all the critical elements behind the lense. Andrea’s last film she produced was Jesse Baget’s White Knight (now known as Cellmates), which was acquired by Viva Pictures and Warner Brother’s for distribution and won 9 best picture awards at various prestigious festivals. Andrea’s last three features, “Pedestrian Crossing,” “Darius,” and “Wayward Pilgrim” will no doubt make the festival rounds as well. Andrea is currently attached to and developing several feature films, including an untitled Johnny Tapia picture with director, Eddie Alcazar.
DAN - Cinematographer
Dan Finlayson is a cinematographer from New England who now lives in Southern California. He misses the winter sometimes. He misses it from the beach, or on a film set, or in his car with the windows down. He loves shooting film whenever possible and thinks that lenses are some of the most precious, mystifying objects in the world.
JULIA ERINGER - Writer / Producer
Julia’s academic background is in philosophy and literature as well as film. She has a BA from the University of Birmingham and a Masters from the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s, London. She began her career in the development and communications department of MTV International, then became a strategist at advertising agency Euro RSCG working on campaigns for News International and The Conservative Party, among others. After training at Drama Centre, her love of film took her behind the lens, into the producer’s chair. She now acts, produces and writes and resides in Los Angeles, California.
TRACEY BECKER - Executive Producer
Tracey Becker began her career as an actress and producer in New York City and made frequent guest appearances on networks like A&E, Comedy Central and Showtime. Tracey then launched Birnam Wood, a theater and film production company dedicated to developing works by new and established writers like Murray Schisgal, Christopher Durang, Ron McLarty. She produced the highly successful Off-Broadway run of Doris Davis’ “Summer Share” that NBC TVs Jeffery Lyons called “Must-See Theater!” She then partnered with Dustin Hoffman to develop the one-hour TV drama pilot “44 Wall”. Birnam Wood optioned Allan Knee’s play “The Man Who Was Peter Pan” and developed the screenplay “Finding Neverland” with writer David Magee. Partnering with Richard Gladstein, Tracey co-produced the film for Miramax, which starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, with Marc Forster directing. “Finding Neverland” was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, winning for Best Score, in addition to winning the National Board of Review’s Best Picture honor.
Tracey then developed a series of short films for “Glamour” Magazine, featuring the directing debuts of Jennifer Aniston and Bryce Dallas Howard. Her latest film “Hysteria”, a romantic comedy set in Victorian, England directed by Tanya Wexler (“Ball in the House”), and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Rupert Everett, Jonathan Pryce and Felicity Jones, premiered at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, and was released by Sony Pictures Classics in 2012. Tracey will next produce “The Galapagos Affair” from a script by William Boyd (“Chaplin”) for Informant Media, as well as the psychological thriller “Urban Asylum” written by Sean Farley, and “Ana’s Playground” – the feature adaptation of Eric D. Howell’s award-winning short film, for RKO Pictures.
Tracey lives in Venice, California with her husband and son. In her spare time, she sits on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Film Festival, offers screenplay consultation services through her website www.ScriptSwami.com, and is an active volunteer for her son’s elementary school, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of “From the Heart,” a non-profit which puts brand new books in the hands of disadvantaged kids in the most economically challenged areas of Los Angeles.
OUR CAST
This is entirely an ensemble piece. The film works like a jigsaw puzzle with every character providing a window into the private world of this family. We took a long time selecting the right person for each role and I am proud to have assembled an incredible cast.
Sarah - Julia Eringer
Young Sarah - Sofia Checchi
Buddy - Andrew Pierno
Young Buddy - Brandon Hender
Sonny - Jack Elliott
Young Sonny - Elliott James Thomas Moore
Love - Tony Tambi
Mother - Marina Anderson
Father - Paul Hubbard
Uncle - William Jones