GHOLAM

‫غالم‬
GHOLAM
A Film
By
Mitra Tabrizian
Starring: Shahab Hosseini
An investment opportunity for a new and exciting Iranian feature film.
In Production: September 2014
Synopsis
Set in London, GHOLAM is the story of an enigmatic Iranian cab driver,
who works at night and doesn’t like to talk about his past.
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He has two jobs, yet seems not to be interested in the money. He eats at
his uncle’s café every day, yet is fully aware of being betrayed by him. He
agrees to the arrangement his mother makes for his return home, yet has
no intention of going back. We learn that he was once a war hero, and yet
disappeared from the battlefield without a trace.
A man with no past, no future, no ‘convictions’, he still gets involved in the
conflict of a total stranger and carries it through to the very end.
Director's Statement
The film is inspired by a photographic project entitled ‘Border’ on Iranians in exile (funded by the Arts Council), in particular the story of an Iranian
cab driver, who worked night shifts, whose status as an asylum seeker was unclear, who was trying to get away from his family, and was ambivalent
about the possibility of return.
‘Gholam’ combines the actual stories of some of the participants in this project. The film differs from usual stories of exile, which often tend to focus on
victimization or exploitation. Instead, it sets out to examine the relationship between the individual and his environment by examining the individual
himself: to see ‘what remains inside an individual’ who has been through a revolution, a war and a change of landscape.
Mixing actors and non-actors, the film will combine ‘documentary’ style, using hand held camera, natural lighting and fragmentary composition, with
a more controlled camera movement. The night scenes will be lit subtly (or not lit at all) to maintain a dark atmosphere. And with the use of bare décor,
run down locations, empty streets at night and a cold grade, reminiscent of Jean-Pierre Melville’s ‘Army of Shadows’, (1969), the film will create a miseen-scene appropriate to the subject. The dialogue will be in both English and Farsi with English subtitles.
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About Mitra Tabrizian
Born in Tehran, Iran, living and working in London, she has exhibited and published widely in major international museums and galleries.
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She has made three short films: ‘The Predator’ (35 mm, 28 minutes), ‘Journey of No Return’, (16mm, 23 minutes), ‘The Third Woman’ (16 mm, 20
minutes).
Film festivals include; Toronto International Film Festival- Berlin International Film Festival- Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival- Tiburon International
Film Festival- Canadian Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival, Turin International Film Festival.
She is the recipient of several photographic awards, including the 2013 Royal Academy ‘Rose Award for Photography’.
Her solo exhibitions include Tate Britain (2008) - Moderna Mussset, Sweden.(2006) Museum of Folkwang, Germany,(2003) Her most recent book
‘Another Country’ (Hatje Cantz, 2012) has a forward by Homi Bhabha.
Her work is represented in major public collections, including, Victoria and Albert Museum, London - Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern
Art- Moderna Mussset, Stockholm - Museum Folkwang, Essen - Musée d’Art Moderne, Luxembourg and Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
www.mitratabrizian.com
'The Long Wait' from the Border Series (2006)
Winner of the Royal Academy Rose Award 2013
From the Another Country Series (2010)
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Cast
SHAHAB HOSSEINI - GHOLAM
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A SEPARATION (2011) - Academy Award for Best Foreign Film 2013
ABOUT ELLY (2009)
Shahab Hosseini's acting career took off with his performance in movies such as Tahmineh Milani's 'The Fifth Reaction' (2003) and 'Superstar' (2009).
He won the Crystal Simorgh from Tehran's 27th Fajr International Film Festival for his performance as Kourosh in 'Superstar'. Two years later, he
received the Diploma of Honor from Fajr Film Festival and the Silver Bear Award from the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival for his
memorable role as the hot-tempered Hodjat in Asghar Farhadi's internationally critically acclaimed film, 'A Separation' (2011).
He has also received several nominations and awards from Iran's House of Cinema including Best Actor in a Lead Role for his performance in Asghar
Fardadi's previous film, 'About Elly' (2009).
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Investment Structure
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The film production company set up for this project (a special purpose vehicle of ‘SPV’) is an SEIS registered company for UK taxpayers. This company
will operate alongside a separate investment vehicle for non-UK taxpayers.
We already have a commitment of £60,000 from UK investors. We are looking to raise £100,000 from non-UK investors in total.
In order to achieve this we have developed a three-tier reward structure to allow investors at all levels interested in Gholam the opportunity to be
involved in this exciting project.
These levels are:
£2,000
£5,000
£10,000
'Road to Nowhere' from the Border Series (2006)
The equity investment raised for GHOLAM would be recouped through all box office and ancillary income generated by the film worldwide (such as
territory minimum guarantees, VOD and DVD sales) which would flow into an independent collection account and be re-paid to the equity investors
as part of the recoupment waterfall structure for the film, agreed in advance of production.
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Additional Benefits
To appreciate your support, we have created a series of ‘thank you’ gifts for the various investment levels offered, which we also hope will be an extra
incentive for investors. Please note, for those individuals wishing to invest at an amount higher than the maximum level offered here, we would be
happy to discuss other one-off thank you gifts such as a piece of Mitra's original art work.
£2,000
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. A signed copy of director Mitra Tabrizian's book 'Another Country' and co-writer Cyrus Massoudi's book 'Land of the Turquoise Mountains: Journeys Across Iran'
. A signed DVD of the film
. Invitation to the UK premier of the film
£5,000
. An individually signed image from the film (signed by Mitra Tabrizian and Shahab Hosseini)
. A signed DVD of the film
. Invitation to the UK premier of the film
£10,000
. A special limited edition of Mitra's artwork called 'Somewhere in the Night' - 61x75 cm (Please see right)
. A signed DVD of the film
. Invitation to the UK premier of the film
'Somewhere in the Night' from the Border Series (2006)
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Recoupment On Investment
Investors will recoup their investment on a pari passu basis from the first £1 of income made by the film, following customary film industry off-the-top
deductions for an independent collection agency's fees, and sales representative fees and expenses. The exact order and form of recoupment will be
agreed upon financial closing in September 2014.
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After investors have fully recouped their investment, profit would be distributed and divided 50% to the investors (again on a pari passu basis) and 50%
to the Producer’s as delegated by the key production team (i.e. Producers, Director, Writer, HoDs, etc). This arrangement will continue in perpetuity.
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Nyman Libson Paul - Finance Suppor t Company
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This year NLP has been in business for 80 years. A remarkable milestone and achievement. It is a firm that is renowned for its expertise in the entertainment
industry, representing some of the best and brightest luminaries from film, television, theatre and music. Nyman Libson himself was involved in the
legendary White Christmas and the projects the firm have been involved with since cover the length and breadth of the entertainment world.
Whether it be working on each and every Bond film (22 in total), liaising with the DCMS, dealing with tax credits for both TV and film, or advising on
tax efficient structures through partnerships or SEIS or EIS, NLP's expertise shines through. In addition, the firm has specialisms and experience in all
aspects of film and TV production. It's partners' collective industry knowledge is second to none.
Aimimage Productions
For this production, the producers are partnering with Aimimage Productions.
Aimimage have agreed to come on board in principle as executive producers, providing investment of up to £50k. An established camera rental company
in the UK, they are also becoming an emerging force in UK independent feature film production recently completed two films 'The Circus' and 'Anima
State' for release in 2014.
The production will ensure it has the best quality equipment and production facilities with Aim's involvement, helping to ensure the overall quality of
the film.
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Creative Team
Director:
Mitra Tabrizian
Script by:
Mitra Tabrizian, Cyrus Massoudi
(Based on an original idea by Mitra Tabrizian)
Producers:
Kurban Kassam, Zadoc Nava
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For more information please contact
Kurban Kassam
[email protected]
07813 616 299
Cyrus Massoudi
[email protected]
07958 290 132
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