THE TALE OF OUR FILM: "FOR PEACE..."

For Peace is a heart stopping mystery and haunting allegory on information exchange in the digital age and the effects of Mexico's relationship with Drug Cartels during the spreading of Americanization in Latin cultures.

 

For Peace thrillingly unfolds over the course of one night as Ellie McCullough, a reporter for an underground political news website, is seemingly unable to leave the city which he feels so threatened by.

 

As the clock ticks, Ellie sees more and more of his options for freedom disintegrating and the unseen pursuers he is desperately trying to evade, getting closer to his capture.

 

One narrow escape, after another, Ellie is taken farther away from the safety he is searching for and closer to being cornered as he is forced to take shelter at the apartment of a close friend and co-founder of the same website.

 

But is everything as it seems?

 

Far from it; as the late night progresses, dark truths are revealed; raising the stakes to explosive proportions and leading to a chilling but inevitable conclusion

 

Hello there!

Im Alessio Cappelletti and Im the writer/director of "For Peace. Most recently my last short film "Broken Crayons" (www.brokencrayonsfilm.com) won the "Golden Palm" at the 2011 Mexico International Film Festival and an "Honorable Mention" at the 2010 Los Angeles Movie Awards. It was quite a tricky film to do. It was an ambiguous period piece taking place in real-time over the course of one day with an all children cast,  34 minutes long,  on film,  with 90% exteriors, stunts, and a war scene.

 

How did we pull it off?

 

By being blessed with a tireless, passionate and professional team of young innovative artists.

 

Thanks to that short film, we have gotten a lot of industry attention and even endorsements for our upcoming feature film "Dreams of the Youth (www.dreamsoftheyouth.com).

 

Now Im collaborating with much of that same team on "For Peace" and I will say this, if we get the financing this will bring forth a new level of artistry and intrigue to the short-film medium.

 

For Peace was oddly birthed  while I was directing a play at the incredible La Mama Theater in NYC. I was sleeping on a friend's couch one night and he reiterated what my closest colleagues had told me over the past few months- I needed to do another short film. At first I abstained because I was putting so much work into my feature and didn't want to force a story just to make another movie...But this one night on his couch, the story came to me. I stayed up all night outlining it.

For Peace will be shot in RI and NYC during the first week of December 2011.  We will be shooting on the Red camera with its MX sensor (the exterior night footage is going to look glorious!). We also may shoot in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, if we get enough financing- the reason being that securing locations is easier and Providence at night- has this surreal/ magical look that I initially envisioned for "For Peace...". 

Visually we are going for "The Third Man" meets Scorsese's "After Hours" or Fincher's "The Game." Now "The Game" is a perfect example because though it is Noir, it is also shot with subtle "Horror" aesthetic. The music will also be put together in a way that very much evokes that, as we are experimenting with a completely synthesizer score (similar to Blade Runner, Solaris, Wendy Carlos' work, most movies by John Carpenter). I have always found synthesizer scores to be eerie, especially the ones from cult movies of the late 80s. All these things will accent the themes of our film: the terror of a digital world that is crushing the individuality of "culture", making everything uniform and artificial.

 

WE WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK WHILE RIDING THE ROLLER COASTER!

We always try to be socially conscious with our films. However, we don't have an agenda. We want to push viewers to think and converse, and while we do not presume to suggest an answer we do strive to pose the important questions.

 

We want to ask questions but still entertain and engage you.

 

We want this film to inspire and help inform people about important world issues in a way that entertainment can inspire change.

 

 

CAST AND CREW

For Peace is being produced by Mind The Art Entertainment (www.mindtheartentertainment.com), an award winning innovative company who has collaborated with over 500 artists working in a multitude of contemporary mediums of art and expression. Most recently Mind The Art produced a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway show, published a Poetry book of darkly hilarious adult fables, hosted the 2010 Drama Desk Award Reception at Lincoln Center and developed a Japanese Opera. Mind The Art has been admired for their work in the arts, most notably in film and theater, and are all around just a fun talented bunch of serious artists. We are so blessed to be working with such a passionate group of people.

We already have an amazing line up of collaborators and people signed on. The film is almost totally cast with our lead, Ellie, being played by the very talented Justin Anselmi who was recently in the award winning play "The Timing of the Day". Our DP has done dozens of high-end music videos, promos and narrative films, our amazing stunt coordinator teaches his craft at Brooklyn College, our post sound department has hit many of the major festivals like Cannes and our editor has already cut two fantastic features by the age of 23! Lastly the President of Mind The Art Entertainment (and Executive Producer of "For Peace") is right now traveling abroad trying to secure us financing from international parties.

 

We have secured some financing but not enough, and that's why we need you!

WHY YOU ARE IMPORTANT

 

We are using the money donated here to hire and support our tenacious cast and crew, rent our equipment, acquire permits, finance props and materials, support meticulous art direction, catering, transportation, catering, costumes, make up supplies, Audition and rehearsal spaces, expendables (like hard drives for footage), etc.

Without your support this film will be a quarter of what it could be- and that would be a waste...if we are going to do this thing, let's make it the best that it can possibly be!

Your support is as important and as integral as any crew member or producer donating their time and services to get this film made. We want this to also be YOUR FILM; with your donation, you are giving us the honor to entertain YOU. 

And because this is also YOUR FILM, we want to reward you for your hard work in getting it made.

SO WE HAVE SOME PRETTY FANTASTIC REWARDS! (Just look at the perks of this campaign!)

*The first 4 people from Rhode Island who donate $100 win a spot to be a FEATURED EXTRA in "FOR PEACE..."

 

CAN YOU TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

So, on top of all your generosity, we are going to push the envelope and ask you for JUST ONE MORE THING:

PLEASE...SPREAD THE WORD!

 

Scream it from a mountain, get your friends to donate while they are drunk, connect with us on facebook while youre bored at work, email your grandma, text your ex, tweet to your Argentinian mistress, Morse code aliens, use mental telepathy, smoke signals, beacons of light, Yanni radio station ads on Pandora-whatever it takes!

Let everyone know you want to see this film get made and you support this group of up and coming filmmakers! 

And give us the honor of making something creative, intelligent and special for you.

 

You deserve entertainment that challenges and inspires.

So please support!

Thank you.

 

Alessio Cappelletti

Filmmaker

Mind The Art Entertainment

www.mindtheartentertainment.com

 

 

 

***The money raised by this campaign will be managed by Executive Producer Christian De Gre, if you have any questions please email him at president@mindtheartentertainment.com Bio below.

 

Christian De Gr (Executive Producer): Originally from Mexico City, Christian is currently President & Artistic Director of Mind The Art Entertainment. As a performer he has been in numerous plays & musicals throughout North America, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. In 2009, De Gr traveled to Bulgaria and Tunisia to aid in the training and directing of performers from over thirty countries as the Theater for Social Change Partner of the United Nations International Y-Peer Network. De Gr has served as Producer on a variety of acclaimed productions such as the art film Broken Crayons, winner of the Golden Palm at the Mexico International Film Festival, the critically acclaimed theatrical production of The Timing of a Day, and his co-written musical fantasy Spellbound: A Musical Adventure, which was co-produced at the Ellen Stewart Theatre with Robert R. Blume as part of the 2010 NYC International Fringe Festival. For the past two years, De Gr has been the Artistic Director of the La MaMa E.T.C. Spring series A Mind The Art Anthology. He also opened the 2010 La MaMa Puppet Series as Composer of the musical Bong Bong Bong Against the Walls, Ting, Ting, Ting in our Heads by renowned Director Dario D'Ambrosi. Recent credits also include: Consulting Producer on the short films Pup and Gods and Dolls, as well as on the Japanese Opera Kiyo; published Poet in Story Time with Mr. Buttermen: Fables for Adults Living in a Modern World; and Script Development Consultant of the political piece Home Front. Christian is proud to be endorsed by The Mexican Cultural Institute of New York and thanks them for all their support.

*Vlog shot and edited by Alex Choonoo

**For Peace Logo by Rob Servo http://www.robservo.com/paintings.php