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BEN & ARA - Feature Film

Religious and cultural tensions escalate when a Muslim woman has a relationship with an agnostic man

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BEN & ARA - Feature Film

BEN & ARA - Feature Film

BEN & ARA - Feature Film

BEN & ARA - Feature Film

BEN & ARA - Feature Film

Religious and cultural tensions escalate when a Muslim woman has a relationship with an agnostic man

Religious and cultural tensions escalate when a Muslim woman has a relationship with an agnostic man

Religious and cultural tensions escalate when a Muslim woman has a relationship with an agnostic man

Religious and cultural tensions escalate when a Muslim woman has a relationship with an agnostic man

Constance Ejuma
Constance Ejuma
Constance Ejuma
Constance Ejuma
1 Campaign |
Los Angeles, United States
$660 USD 10 backers
2% of $25,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

About this project

BEN & ARA- an independent film.

Ben, a passionately agnostic PhD student, falls behind in his dissertation and is surprised to find his muse and love in Ara, a devout Muslim woman of African descent. Even though they have vastly different beliefs, they find a way to connect in a world that challenges their relationship. Through their journey, they discover that when two cultures touch each other the consequences can be magical and tragic. 

The Story

BEN is an intelligent but unmotivated PhD student who’s spent 7 years toiling over a dissertation about philosophy and religion. He’s put on alert that if he doesn’t defend his work by the end of the academic year, all his courses will be invalidated.

Through happenstance or fate he runs across ARA, a beautiful African woman who not only happens to be in Ben’s department, but is also a devout Muslim. Ara is the pride of her family and everything that Ben is not - focused, motivated, organized, disciplined, and an overachiever.

Though Ara has intentionally kept herself insulated Ben intrigues her and disturbs her equilibrium in a way that no one has before. They grow closer but the situation is further complicated by the discovery that Ben is in an open relationship with GABRIELLE, an assertive MBA student who doesn’t seem to mind sharing her boyfriend with another woman, especially since she herself is involved with another man.  

Background

We've spent the past year working hard to get this film made in Heinsville Georgia. We started by putting together an amazing team of extremely talented film professionals. Among the first to join us was Samone Norsworthy, a friend and dedicated producer who has a couple of award winning films under her belt. We approached Nnegest Likke, who directed Academy Award winner Mo'Nique in Phat Girlz, to take the helm directing. David Rakoczy, a veteran DP whose credits include Asylum, Lancelot: Guardian of Time and Nightmare on Elm Street 4,came on board as our cinematographer.


As it turns out, our production is also international! Nkanya Nkwai, a filmmaker based in Cameroon, West Africa, joined our crew as the second unit director. So, you can look forward to seeing some beautiful images of Africa in addition to some great locations in Liberty County, Georgia where a bulk of production took place. 

We were also fortunate to be joined by a stellar cast of actors including Q'orianka Kilcher (The New World, Sons of Anarchy, Longmire), Michael Chieffo (LA Confidential, Argo, Hart of Dixie), Akuyoe Graham (American Pie, Chicago Hope, Danika) and Mohamed Dione (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Restless City, Sessions). We were very excited to have Emily Saliers of the Grammy Award winning Indigo Girls join our cast to play Ben's mom.             

Emily Saliers joins the cast as Andrea, Ben's mom.


How You Can Help

When it comes to making movies, it takes a village to make it come to life. We've gone pretty far in the production process and accomplished a great deal. We have a "film in the can" as they say. Now what? We're only halfway through the filmmaking process and we need YOUR help to see it through to the end. 

We need to raise funds to complete post-production, which involves editing, sound, music and color correction. Without these things we don't have a movie, and without your help, we'll have a pretty difficult time making this dream a reality. No amount is too small so we welcome any and all donations.


Our Goal

We believe that something amazing happens when two people, from drastically different points of view, are able to look past their differences and have a heart to heart connection. And two people connecting despite cultural barriers is something everyone should experience, if only vicariously through our story. That is our goal with BEN & ARA, to open us up to one another just a little more. 


About Us!

Nnegest Likke - Director

Nnegest was born in California to an Ethiopian revolutionary father, Senay Likké, who met her mother at the University of California, Berkeley in the 1960s. Her début film - which she wrote and directed - was the 2006 comedy Phat Girlz starring Academy Award winner Mo'Nique. 


Joseph Baird - Actor | Writer | Producer 

Joseph was recently cast in two pilots and a short film called 'The Percipient' which premiered at the Cannes Festival in 2012. His latest credits include a co-star on the new CBS show "Scorpion" and a leading role in a UK film entitled "Capsule". Though an experienced writer, Ben & Ara is the first screenplay.


Constance Ejuma - Actress | Producer

Born in Cameroon and raised in the US, Constance Ejuma became interested in acting as a teenager and went on to study theater at the University of Toronto. She spent a brief time pursuing acting in the Washington, DC before making the move to Los Angeles to further her training and advance her career. Constance has credits in theatre, film and television. 


Samone Norsworthy - Producer

Samone is the CEO of Wonder Worthy Productions®, LLC which crafts high-quality film, television, and new media projects for the viewing audience by working worldwide with established and innovative creative talents to craft every project into an exceptional piece of art that withstands the test of time. Wonder Worthy Productions seeks to produce high quality projects that exceed the expectations of its clients, partners, customers, and viewing public.

Producer Samone Norsworthy gets recruited as an actor for the day and performs a scene with Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls.


Behind The Scenes

DP David Rakoczy and director Nnegest Likke set up a shot.


Actors Joseph Baird, Q'orianka Kilcher and William Mark McCullough play out a scene.


Joseph Baird with veteran actor Michael Chieffo.


Nnegest Likke gives direction to actors Mohammed Dione and Constance Ejuma.


Exit 76 Band, local to the Savannah, Georgia area, was generous enough to lend some original songs. They are also featured in a scene in the film.


Our cast in Cameroon, West Africa, performs a scene. 






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Choose your Perk

The Attention Seeker

$1 USD
You will get a virtual "shout out" on our Facebook fan page. High five!
0 claimed

The Friend

$10 USD
You'll get our thanks and a glossy poster of the film to show off.
0 claimed

The Supporter

$25 USD
You'll receive a DVD of the completed film and a shooting script. Thanks for sweeping us off our feet!
2 claimed

The Helper

$50 USD
You'll receive an official movie poster, the DVD, and shooting script. You rock!
1 claimed

The Stunner

$100 USD
You'll receive the soundtrack, official movie poster, DVD, and shooting script. And guess what? Your name will be on the big screen baby! We will include you in our special thanks section of credits in addition to all of the above mentioned things!
2 claimed

The Giver

$300 USD
You’ll get to have a Skype chat with the 2 leads about whatever you’d like! You also get all the other goodies mentioned above: soundtrack, official movie poster, DVD, and shooting script. Have we mentioned how amazing you are for doing this?
0 claimed

The Rock Star

$500 USD
Become a Hollywood power player and get your name in the official film credits. It doesn’t stop there: you also get soundtrack, official movie poster, DVD, and shooting script. YOU, my friend, ROCK our socks off!
0 claimed

The Boss

$1,000 USD
2 free passes to our North American Premier and after party (travel and lodging excluded and only applies to cities where premieres are planned). You'll be given all of the previously mentioned rewards and personal thank you letters from the director and stars of the film.
0 claimed

The Hero

$3,000 USD
This means an IMDB credit as an Associate Producer. You will also get a limited edition art print by acclaimed artist Yrneh Gabon Brown: http://bit.ly/1AxS89d. In addition, you and five of your friends/family will be our guests at the North American Premiere and after party (travel and lodging not included). You'll be given all of the above mentioned perks as well.
0 claimed

The High Roller

$5,000 USD
With this extraordinary donation you'll be an Executive Producer on BEN & ARA which will include an IMDB credit! Your name will be festooned on our poster, website, and of course the movie credits. In addition to this you and five of your friends will be our guest at the North American Premier (travel and lodging expenses not included) and the party afterwards. All the above mentioned perks will be yours in addition to our highest level of appreciation and thanks.
0 claimed
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