UNTIL THE QUIET COMES is an account of displacement highlighted by the massive 1990s migration of Iranians to Canada. It is a multi-strand story told through the eyes of a group of Iranian-Canadian characters who have been uprooted from their heritage and struggle to build new lives. At its core, the story is that of disenfranchised youth and disenchanted families on the cusp of disintegration. Misunderstandings lead to alienation, and alienation to lost innocence and slip-ups. The project is particularly original in its discussion of how an Iranian-Canadian family would react to their daughter’s alleged rape and how cultural hang-ups can be the Achilles heel of an entire generation in limbo.

A STORY WITH REAL SOCIAL IMPACT

Even though the narrative depicts the lives of Iranian-Canadian characters, the trials and tribulations at its heart speak to the universal drama that lies in the fight against cultural stigmas and the battle for self-realization. As such, the narrative will resonate across a wide spectrum of cultural backgrounds.

In addition, the film broches the complex topic of immigration.

Cinematically, this is a story that depicts a very specific generation of Iranian expats. A generation that's never been afforded a real voice.

The film's mission? a)To confront the stigmatized social space occupied by immigrant working class in Canada and the difficulties they face in their attempt to assimilate and build new lives in their adopted country. b)To expose the eventual impotency that lies await youth who’ve been cordoned off from society through distorted cultural and familial expectations.

Our hope? To draw the attention of audiences worldwide to a dynamic community that is grossly misrepresented in contemporary world cinema.

Excerpt From The Screenplay:

*Italic dialogue is spoken in Farsi.

OVER BLACK...

Iranian wartime Public Alert System can be heard on a TV somewhere. The date, 22 September 1980.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCER (O.S.)

Warning! Warning! This is the Wartime Broadcasting Service. The siren that you’re about to hear is the Red Alert and means that an Iraqi air assault is imminent. Leave your place of work or residence and take shelter.

The shrill of Air Raid Sirens slowly rises to a deafening crescendo.

IRANIAN CHILD (O.S.)

I'm scared mom.

IRANIAN MOTHER (O.S.) (Her voice rattling)

It's going to be alright, Pasha. Sarah, stay by my side. Get away from the window.

The sound of fighter jets flying across the sky followed by utter silence, then...

LOUD SOUND OF BOMBS/EXPLOSIONS.

CUT on the sound of explosions to...

- INT. POOL HALL, VANCOUVER - 1996 - THURSDAY NIGHT

...the thumping sound of a HEAVY PUNCH precedes the image of an Iranian kid, PASHA (19), dressed in baggy jeans and billowing t-shirt. His eyes glazed over, Pasha appears transfixed on an object in front of him.

Slowly, the wonky ambient sound in the background becomes clearer, louder and more distinct.

PULL OUT to reveal Pasha’s posse standing next to him: DAMOUN (19), taller than the rest and with a slight hunch, he wears running shorts with a white button-up shirt and looks incredibly unassuming from head to toe. ALI (19), shaved head and thick eyebrows, he wears a T-shirt with “PEACE” written across it, and finally, SAMAN (19), fair- skinned, blue eyes and straw-colored hair, he’s dressed very much like Ali and Pasha.

DAMOUN

You’re shit! Absolutely shit!

ALI

You call that a punch, asshole?

That was pathetic.

DAMOUN

You go on taking those fucking

pills at this rate and we'll have to place you in nuthouse soon.

ALI

Throwin’ ‘em punches like a fuckin’

fag.

DAMOUN

Yeah. Don’t be a fag, fag. PUNCH LIKE A MAN. LIKE YOUR POPS.

The look on Pasha’s face reads increasingly more detached and uninterested.

SAMAN (O.S)

Leave him alone. He’s high as shit.

ALI (O.S)

Yeah, he’s high. What a waste. What, a, fucking, waste.

DAMOUN (O.S)

You gonna try again or what? Don't be a pussy. Make your pops proud.

An arcade style punching bag is revealed situated in the corner of the pool hall-- totally out of place-- and across from the Iranian contingent. Pasha is standing dead-square in front of the bag.

TRACK IN on Pasha as he blinks his eyes-- almost in slow motion, making it appear as if one eye blinks before the other. He staggers back a few steps, stops, gathers himself, clinches his fist and is about to throw another punch...

DAMOUN (O.S)

Here comes the pain!

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Budget Breakdown:

Top_sheet-1409255602

Funding Breakdown

Private Investors-------------------------------- $ 7,500

Crowdfunding (ongoing) ----------------------------- € 5,000 ($7,000)

Producing partners (ongoing) --------------------------------- $ 70,000

As you can see, our total budget is $84,500, so, do not hesitate to share information so we can meet or exceed the minimum amount of € 5,000!

The € 5,000 will be used as development money. The money we need to form (a package) suitable for presenting to investors and capable of attracting production financing. It will cover travel expenses to film markets to arrange pre-sales financing, from investors, and location scouting and camera tests. It also covers the cost of administration and overheads until the film is officially in pre-production.

Until The Quiet Comes

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