'
Who I Am' – to be released in 2016 - is a drama short film based on a true story that ta Starring: Paul O'Dea Adele James Emma Linley Marc Aldridge Ray Richardson Andrew McKenzie Katie Anjuli Singh Tiffany Robinson Directed/Written/Screenplay by: Monika Wilczynska Produced by: Monika Wilczynska Laura Sofie Helbig Website: http://instagram.com/elairecreates Support the Film: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-i-am-short-film#/ https://twitter.com/search?q=%2520%40elairecreates https://www.facebook.com/WhoIAm.ShortFilm We have also launched, LOVE OF PHILANTRHOPY, art auction campaign: 50% of revenue generated by work purchased through our outreach efforts, our social media, reference to the film, the crew, or the LGBTQIA community, will be donated to the film fund. LOVE OF PHILANTRHOPY is an on-going campaign that, after the film is completed, will continue donate 50% of art sales generated revenue to help fund educational programs on behalf of the film and its crew to help us continue to further and grow our awareness efforts. To enter the auction and purchase a work visit: http://icollazo.przm.com/mbr_purchase.php#.VtBmupwrK7R (The prices quoted on the site represent the bottom line auction prices - from which 50% will be donated to the film - for any amount above the bottom line, 100% of that sum will be donated to the film; and later to the educational programs fund.
To learn about the project visit: Sara Troy’s Self Discovery Radio: Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Monika Wilczynsk: http://selfdiscoveryradio.com/2016/02/09/tsm1607-who-i-am-with-gods-blessing/ Support this project by donating to the INDIGO CAMPAIGN here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-i-am-short-film/x/13249611#/ Support this project by purchasing an artwork here: http://icollazo.przm.com/mbr_purchase.php#.VtBmupwrK7R
Monika Wilczynska
Monika and Director of Photography, Jome Joseph
Johanna Londinium and Monika
David Hanson, Head of RSDFM School with Monika
Adele James, playing Lisbeth, and Monika
Katie Anjulie Singh, playing Claire
Patrick Renton, Sound Supervisor with Tiffany Robinson, playing Amy
“Lola Dressed in Silk�, by Ileana Collazo, will hang in one of the rooms of the film The artist will then gift this limited edition of 25, signed by the artist, print to Regent University, London, England
In Monika’s words: What is the film about? ‘Who I Am’, is a drama short film based on real events from the life of a friend of mine from Sweden. It is a coming of age tale about Elijah, a young transgender boy from a very religious background who has to try to reconcile their identity with their faith and their family’s expectations of them. It is about believing in ourselves, and not compromising our own integrity in order to please our surroundings. The film inquires: can an LGBTQ-identifying person benefit from religion, whilst staying true to who they are? Why is it important to tackle identity in regards to religion? How restrictive is our perception of spirituality and divinity? ‘Who I Am’ does not attempt to answer these questions, but it aspires to open the dialogue to the public on subjects that have been under-represented, or taboo, for far too long. Why is it important to shoot this film today, in 2016, and how can it help people? A lot of progress has been made in the past few years regarding the LGBTQIA community and rights, but we still have a long way to go; especially with transgender people who are - in certain places - even less accepted than the rest of the LGBTQIA community. By giving visibility and voice to a transgender character, we aim to not - only bring to life an honest and candid portrayal of their daily struggles - but also to help educate people who may have never been directly confronted with this subject matter. In order to make this project a reality, we have started an Indiegogo campaign to raise the funds necessary for its making, which can accessed through the link below: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-i-am-short-film/x/13249611 We have also launched an online contemporary art auction campaign, with the help of an American digital artist-photographer/philanthropist who will donate 50% of the sales of the artwork to production, and post-production costs; which is being organized and sponsored by Art Daily News International Magazine. The artist has also offered to make this philanthropic endeavor a long-term one to have the funds that are collected through art sales help to fund educational programs on the subject on behalf of the film and its crew in order to help further our and grow our awareness efforts. To enter the auction site, click on the link below: Love of Philanthropy Why is this film personally relevant to you? As a filmmaker, I am interested in the subject of identity and how different human beings identify themselves, versus how they are seen by society and portrayed by the media. Religion and spirituality are also an interest of mine, because we are wired in such a way that our actions come from our beliefs. Most of our deep-rooted beliefs - as well as many social of our social ones ; including economic and political systems - are based on religious teachings; whether we ourselves are atheist, agnostic, or members of a particular religion. Therefore, changing - or at least questioning - our beliefs can help make a positive change in the world happen much faster. I think that having a voice as an artist is really important, because we can speak up about issues that are close to our hearts, but which are also socially relevant. Historically, creative people have always been
pioneers when it comes to ‘taboo’ subjects and revolutionary ideas. We are continuously being told that we are separate, that we don’t matter, and that we cannot change the circumstances in which we live. But, look at Rosa Parks, look at Martin Luther King, look at ‘Tank Man’ in Tienamen Square. We do matter, and the more we realize that, the more we can achieve in a shorter amount of time. The first step to take is to put an end to all sorts of prejudice; especially ones based on an individual’s ethnicity, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation.’ Who I Am’, is aiming to help do just that. Why is it a universal film, even though it speaks about a very specific subject matter? No one wants to be in a position where they feel that they cannot be themselves and be accepted by the people who surround them; everyone deserves to be happy, and to be loved for exactly who they are. We fear what we don’t know, therefore the more knowledge we gain about subjects foreign to us, the more open-minded we can be. This is a universal film, because it tackles the discovery of self, and the need to stand up for your own identity regardless of whether of whether or not you will get accepted. Anyone who’s ever been prosecuted for their beliefs, their career, relationship - or even vestimentary choices - will be able to relate to that. How the way that the project has been structured, reflects the message broadcasted by the film : we united a group of religiously, ethnically, and culturally diverse individuals - with a range of relevant skills and talents – all of whom want to create a more open-minded, accepting, and loving society through their work. I (the director) am Polish, our Producer is German, our DOP is Spanish, our Sound Supervisor is Scottish and our first AC is Kurdish; except to add the our philanthropist through art sales donations is a Cuba-born female who lived has lived in Spain, and now resides in the United States with her artist husband; also Cuban-born, and a philanthropist through art sales donations. It doesn’t get more diverse than this. Similarly, our leads have been cast on their acting ability, rather than their looks or origins. Why is raising the issue of religion important to this film? Entire social, political, and economical structures are, at their core, based in religious teachings; or, at least, in interpretations thereof. Many LGBTQ-identifying religious people are still being continuously oppressed, and feel the need to repress or alter their real self in order to be accepted by their surroundings. If you actually look at all the greatest spiritual leaders, be it Buddha, Muhammad, Krishna or Christ, they all taught the same truth: Be acceptant. Be loving. Be kind. Every living being deserves the same respect, no matter where they come from or who they are. Unfortunately, most of today’s prejudice is based in (but not limited to) individual interpretations of diverse religions. Looking at life through the perspective of a transgender person raised in a deeply religious family, can help many people in a similar circumstance stand up for who they are. It can also help religious communities to, in general, question what they have been taught without the need to be blasphemous or denying of their faith.
How does the film engage with the LGBTQIA community? When writing the script for ‘Who I Am’, it was important for me to stay true - not only to the essence of the subject - but also to the representation of a transgender person on screen. There is a history of misrepresentation of transgender and non-binary characters by cis-gender people, and I wanted to steer clear of that. This is the reason why I have, not only spent countless hours talking with my friend - on whom this story is based - but also engaged with the transgender community through social media. When shooting our fundraising campaign, we managed to capture the interest of Johanna Londinium, a LGBTQIA-activist and transgender model who was happy to support the project and appear in the video. What are the plans for the distribution of the film after its completion? One of the reasons behind our fundraising campaign, is our objective to screen this film at as many International Film Festivals as possible in order to raise awareness about its subject. We aim to submit it to Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, BFI Flare, San Francisco International LGBTQ Festival, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and Berlinale Film Festival (Teddy Award section); among others. About the director: Monika Wilczynska has a theatre, literature and philosophy background; and is currently in her last year of a BA (Hons) Film, TV, and Digital Media Production degree at Regent's University in London. As a Scholar, she has benefited from EU-sponsored film development courses all over Europe; including workshops with Academy Award nominees. She works as freelance screenwriter, producer, and director. She aims to bring to life meaningful tales from under-represented communities. Her work includes campaigns, commercials, music videos, and short films. She wrote and directed ‘Who I Am’ as part of her graduation project for her degree. You can connect with Monika through: Instagram / Twitter: @elairecreates You can find all information about Who I Am at: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIAm.ShortFilm Support this project by donating to the INDIGO CAMPAIGN here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-i-am-short-film/x/13249611#/ Support this project by purchasing artwork here: http://icollazo.przm.com/mbr_purchase.php#.VtBmupwrK7R
For information about this publication contact: Art Daily News International Magazine Publications Department Fatima Canovas, Editor/Publisher artdailynewsinternational@gmail.com 305-302-6803
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