We're making a film about complex mother-daughter relationships and how their life paths are eerily similar. It is meant to shed light on the life of a teenager with hopes and dreams but who's forced to grow up when tragedy strikes. I want to show what life was like in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia.
We're making a film about complex mother-daughter relationships and how their life paths are eerily similar. It is meant to shed light on the life of a teenager with hopes and dreams but who's forced to grow up when tragedy strikes. I want to show what life was like in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia.
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Story
Mission Statement
Our film is dedicated to all the mothers out there — strong women, loving and tough. And to the teenagers who ever experienced loss at a young age. We have a diverse cast and an international team: Russian production folks, Spanish and American postproduction, and even an Austrian composer!About The Project
Parallels is about complex mother-daughter relationships, growing up, acceptance, fighting for your dreams, and most of all — love.
The film follows Lena Samoilova — a headstrong and creative teenager in suburban Russia who is figuring out who she wants to become. One thing she knows for sure — to live a creative life. While seeking the support and approval of her conservative parents, she receives news that makes her reconsider what's important in life.
Tonally, the film is a combination of the comedic elements of Lady Bird, the longing and dreaming of Begin Again, and ultimately, a tragedy in the vein of My Sister’s Keeper.
Parallels is dedicated to all the mothers out there and especially to my late mom, who died from cervical cancer. I want to shed light on the life of a teenager with hopes and dreams but who is now forced to grow up when tragedy strikes. I will also show what life was like in Soviet Russia and in post-Soviet Russia.
I plan to shoot this short film in my hometown Tver, Russia, where I grew up. I have deep personal connections to the town and the surrounding area and I plan to use every resource at my disposal to shoot this film. Your support will help the film with production (we need to pay our actors, crew, rent some gear, 1970s costumes and props, and food for all team members.)
STRETCH GOALS
Our $10,000 goal is the bare minimum needed to get the film made at a production quality everyone involved can be proud of and avoid exploiting the work of all production members.
- If we raise $12,000, we'll be able to cover the costs of running our campaign plus we'll be able to have contingency funds in place should anything go wrong.
- If we raise $17,000, we'll cover our post-production costs (We’re partnering with the production boutique Lightbender https://www.lightbenderpost.com/ that color-corrected projects like The Alienist, Quantum Break, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, along with many others. It is quite rare they take on board short films!)
- If we raise $23,000, we'll be able to cover our festival, distribution, and promotional costs for completing and getting the film into the world and in front of a wider audience.
- If we raise $25,000, we'll be able to offer our team more respectable day rates, as they are all working for far below average - also out of a passion for the project and its message.
COVID SAFETY
And don't worry, we're keeping our team and actors safe! There will be pre-shooting COVID testing available for actors and crew. By keeping the masks on at all times and abiding by social distancing, sanitizing locations and gear, having separate holding rooms for actors and crew, -- I believe we are providing a safe environment without breaking our creativity!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
After completing the film, including post-production with our US partners, we're planning to send the film to a number of festivals in Europe, the US, and Russia (to name a few respectively: Cannes, Sundance, Kinotavr. We have an extensive list available upon request.) That is why we need to fulfill our $20,000 stretch goal! :)
Spasibo. Thank you for being part of this campaign and joining us in the making of this film!
Incentives
$10
Pioneer
Thank you for supporting us! You’ll receive a social media shout out for you OR your project! Plus our endless gratitude and affection.
$25
Comrade
You’ll receive a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with YOUR OWN FACE on one of them. Plus a social media shout-out for you OR your project, and our endless gratitude and affection. I hope you like history as much as I do!
$50
Crazy Babushka
You’ll receive a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English. Like, seriously. PLUS an exclusive link to stream Parallels, a pdf of Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, and a shoutout on social media for you or your project with our endless gratitude and affection!
$75
Revolutionary
You’ll get an exclusive link to stream Parallels, behind-the-scenes access, a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, AND a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English. And, of course, a social media shout-out for you OR your project, and our endless gratitude and affection.
$100
Zvezda
You’ll receive everything in the Revolutionary package, PLUS YOUR NAME IN CREDITS.
$250
From Russia With Love
Everything in the Revolutionary package, your name in credits PLUS you’ll get a signed poster from the cast and crew of Parallels.
$500
Sobutylnik
In Russian, it means “drinking buddies!” You’ll see your name in the credits plus you’ll be invited to either the Wrap Party in Tver, Russia, OR Private Premiere Party in Los Angeles with drinks on us! (Travel and lodging aren’t provided, but we’ll find a way to drink together (Thanks, Zoom!) To top it off, you’ll receive an exclusive link to stream Parallels, behind-the-scenes access, a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English, and our endless gratitude and affection!
$1,000
Sputnik
Includes your very own IMDb Co-Producer credit, plus EVERYTHING in the Sobutylnik package!
$2,500
Tsar
Join the team as an Executive Producer with your very own IMDb credit on the film. Includes all perks offered in this campaign PLUS join us on a red carpet of one of the festival screenings, that is closer to you (travel and lodging not provided.)
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Pioneer
Thank you for supporting us! You’ll receive a social media shout out for you OR your project! Plus our endless gratitude and affection.
$25
Comrade
You’ll receive a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with YOUR OWN FACE on one of them. Plus a social media shout-out for you OR your project, and our endless gratitude and affection. I hope you like history as much as I do!
$50
Crazy Babushka
You’ll receive a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English. Like, seriously. PLUS an exclusive link to stream Parallels, a pdf of Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, and a shoutout on social media for you or your project with our endless gratitude and affection!
$75
Revolutionary
You’ll get an exclusive link to stream Parallels, behind-the-scenes access, a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, AND a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English. And, of course, a social media shout-out for you OR your project, and our endless gratitude and affection.
$100
Zvezda
You’ll receive everything in the Revolutionary package, PLUS YOUR NAME IN CREDITS.
$250
From Russia With Love
Everything in the Revolutionary package, your name in credits PLUS you’ll get a signed poster from the cast and crew of Parallels.
$500
Sobutylnik
In Russian, it means “drinking buddies!” You’ll see your name in the credits plus you’ll be invited to either the Wrap Party in Tver, Russia, OR Private Premiere Party in Los Angeles with drinks on us! (Travel and lodging aren’t provided, but we’ll find a way to drink together (Thanks, Zoom!) To top it off, you’ll receive an exclusive link to stream Parallels, behind-the-scenes access, a pdf file with Historical Pictures of Mother Russia with your face on one of them, a guide to Russian Swear Words You Definitely Need In English, and our endless gratitude and affection!
$1,000
Sputnik
Includes your very own IMDb Co-Producer credit, plus EVERYTHING in the Sobutylnik package!
$2,500
Tsar
Join the team as an Executive Producer with your very own IMDb credit on the film. Includes all perks offered in this campaign PLUS join us on a red carpet of one of the festival screenings, that is closer to you (travel and lodging not provided.)
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Writer, Director
Kate Surinskaya is an actress and screenwriter. Born and raised in Tver, Russia, Kate got her master’s degree in Economics but felt that her creative nature was more than just a hobby. With a love for the arts and an ambitious attitude, she took a risk and started acting. Kate won a scholarship to study at the NYC Herbert Berghof Studio and built a sophisticated portfolio of showcases, music videos, commercials, and she starred in the award-winning short, "The Jim Crow Holocaust" (Best Cast Angel Awards and Monaco IFF.) Soon after, Kate received a screenwriting opportunity in LA. Her first feature thriller script, “Starting Fresh,” caught the attention of international production company, Brain Academy, but they eventually passed. Nevertheless, Kate persevered and improved her storytelling skills with her second feature script — horror script “Domovina" that won the semifinals of the Big Break by Final Draft Contest in 2020. Kate is now in preproduction of her first short coming-of-age drama film “Parallels” that she’s going to direct as well. Her dream is to collaborate on a movie with Christopher Nolan.
Cinematographer:
Mikhail Zemlyakov is the founder of the Art Movie production company in Tver, Russia. He is a cinematographer, director, producer of short films, commercials, and music videos. Participated in the Russian festival for short films Meters, and in the Shnit Worldwide Short Film Festival. Mikhail shot more than 1000 projects in Russia and abroad, and directed commercials for Pobeda Airlines, Adidas, and Reebok. He is a winner of the all-Russian wedding awards in 2015 and 2019 in the category of the best cameraman.
Editor:
Carla Roda is an award-winning editor and director from Barcelona, Spain who has been based in Los Angeles since 2014. She devoted her career to becoming a director and editor not only in Spain but also internationally - working in France, Canada, Australia, and now the US. Carla has edited over 60 projects including films, commercials, and music videos. Her short film “Camila” which she Produced, Directed, and Edited won a Silver Award for the best cinematography in LA Film Awards. It was also an Official Selection at Cannes Short Corner film festival, Los Angeles CineFest, and an Official Selection in Austin international Film festival as well for Winner at Best Shorts Film Competition - Women Filmmaker.
Stylist:
Polina Sarayeva is a celebrity stylist and costume designer from Moscow, Russia. In addition to working as a stylist, she creates creative concepts for film shoots, music track’ covers, music videos, commercials, images for red carpets, concerts, and magazines. At the moment, Polina collaborates with the most recognizable public figures and music labels in Russia, such as Black Star, Olga Buzova, Dina Saeva, David Manukyan, and others. Her works are gaining more than 40 million views.
Make-up Artist:
Ekaterina Vezetiu is a make-up artist, stylist, FX make-up artist, and master of body art. She graduated from VTU Schepkina (Moscow) with a degree in Theater Studies. Prize-winner at regional and international championships: Nevskie Berega (St. Petersburg), Daegu International Bodypainting Festival (South Korea.) For 8 years she has been collaborating with the show "Royal Circus" by Gia Eradze as a make-up artist. In 2015, she created images on projects for Vogue and Tatler magazines. She also collaborated with the Russian version of the American TV channel Paramount Comedy. On account of Ekaterina there are a lot of commercials and music videos, work in television series and feature films.
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