Hello, My name is Rhea Mohajer (many may know me as Makayla Esfahani), and I am the Director/Screenwriter of Cicatrize. A little about me, Im a Persian-American film student living in Chicago, Illinois. My goal in life is to create films that entertain people, but also help digest the world around us. I sourced this story from my own personal pains of living as a queer person and a woman. Personally, I was so tired of feeling weak and small. Azara, the protagonist, is a character I created out of hunger of wanting to see a powerful woman not held back by her trauma.
Short Summary
Our protagonist, Azara, bartends at a Hookah Lounge located in Chicago. One fateful night a woman, who frequents the club every week, named Margot approaches Azara. Azara has had quite a crush on Margot but couldn’t accept her offer to dance due to the deep-rooted trauma Azara has with her queerness. At Azara’s senior year prom, she was asked by the Prom Queen for a dance, unfortunately, a group of her male peers decided to give the two girls a piece of their mind. This hate crime pushed Azara so deep into the closet, that she guessed she would never come out. However, her overwhelming feelings for Margot take over, and Azara decides to dance with her. While they’re dancing a group of men at the club starts harassing them, one guy goes too far when he gropes Margot. What will happen when Azara grabs the “prop” sword off the wall?
What We Need & What You Get
What we do have is lots of talent, what we need is equipment, locations, and support!
Camera gear, Grip Gear, and Lighting Gear
To make this film absolutely perfect, we would need about $10,000. Of course that is an ambitious goal, so here is the break down:
10% Would go to supporting our cast and crew, this includes transportation and meals. It's crucial that our cast and crew is safe and comfortable, of course this would mean having consistent access to nutrients and safe travels to and from certain film locations.
25% Would go to renting our locations for filming. They will be rented via Peer Space, for example we will need a rain room, a lounge, and prom venue.
38% Would go to our equipment, that includes rentals and purchases. All of this would include camera gear, grip gear, and lighting gear. Also, partial would be used for transporting our equipment.
37% Would go to our production design, this includes our set decoration, props, SFX, costuming, and makeup!
If we were to have any money left over, it would funnel into our production company Sister Venus Films and only be used on future projects!
The Impact
Queer people have been the targets of hate crimes since people learned to love and people learned to hate. The goal of Cicatrize is to capture the strength born out of a person who has been hurt, we want to reclaim the word victim. Victims are not weak, victims are the epitome of strength. Cicatrize is a love story but it also will be a beacon of light for its audience and provide a comfort that many other films don’t.
This project will provide opportunities to fellow filmmakers, actors, musicians, and creatives all over Chicago and beyond!
Risks & Challenges
Sister Venus is a production company my 3 roommates and I came up with. We want to tell stories that are unconventional in the eyes of what cinema should be. Creativity and ambition are two powerful qualities that Sister Venus possesses, we just need some help to start creating. If we don't raise the goal money for Cicatrize, it may mean we don't get to make the film in the exact image intended. However, we will utilize every penny to create a product that we are proud of.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can’t help fund us, no worries! There are plenty of other ways you can support us! Share our indie go go on any platform, follow our Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter at @Cicatrizefilm, and stream Cicatrize on its release!
If you want to learn more about our creative team here on Cicatrize, please check out our instagram! @cicatrizefilm
