Blood, Ashes, Fire
London, 1980; having escaped the conflict back home, Arash, an Iranian engineering student, endures violence and intolerance within his new community. Alone and terrorised by a local gang of skinheads, a possible solution arises when a new, eccentric friend lends him a video tape containing instructions on how to make an incendiary bomb.
Who am I?
My name is Aidan Salmassian. I am 21 years old, a photographer and a BA Film student currently in my final year at Kingston. I am the Writer, Director, Producer and Camera of this project.
Our story
The story I'm telling is one of both personal and philosophical significance to me.
Shortly after the Iranian Revolution, in 1980, my grandfather moved to continue his work in London, bringing his family along with him. My mother, a child at the time, could barely speak a word of english and arrived with a small suitcase of her past life, and hope for new opportunities. Little did she know what she was in for when she arrived. Racism and ostracisation. Upon reflection today, she recalls the comments, remarks and treatment she had to endure until she was finally able to defend herself; to quote "If only they tried that on me today... (*holds her fists up in a boxing stance)".
On philosophy: Forbidden Knowledge, the psychological toll and burden that comes with extreme power, and how it can obscure one's morality. How in times of hopelessness and struggle, knowing that having the ability to fight back, albeit in an extreme sense, could even make the most peaceful person question their choices.
In Arash's sense, having the knowledge and skills as an engineering student to innovate and craft new technology, machines that could benefit the progression of mankind. Yet having escaped one war, only to be faced with a new one, the tape shows him an alternate side to his profession, making weapons of destruction. He has the tools, the resources and the temptation to make such weapons, the only thing holding him back being his humanity.
The film is an exploration of identity, rebellion, retaliation and morality. It will be 15 minutes in length.
Where will the money go?
- Crafted to look, sound and feel just like 1980, we will be going all out on production design (to the best of our ability of course).
- The film is to be shot on black and white and colour 16mm (lab processing + telecine) : £1132
- Locations of the film (e.g. university lecture hall, Arash's room) are to be configured to their '1980' specs. Based on extensive research, ranging from Kingston's photography archive to alumni who were students back then: £150
- As many genuine props, wardrobe and furniture from the period as possible (including TV rental): £400
- Pyrotechnics: £200
- There is a cast of 5 actors (excluding SA's): £1350
- Emergency funds: £268
Rewards
- Mention in credits.
- Extensive BTS coverage and insights into production.
- Invitation to premiere.
- A signed poster by cast and crew.
Find us here
Instagram @aidansal
Help us succeed!
- We need as many people as possible to be talking about your project. Everywhere you can think of!
- You don't need to give money to help us succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support us – on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, by email, telephone, in a chat over the fence or on your blog.
- In fact, share it with everyone you know as we think it's a great idea, and the more people who know about it, the more likely we are to make this work out brilliantly.
- And we know we said you don't need to give money to help us, but we'd love it if you did! Please sponsor us and help make this happen.
