DEVOUT,
The Georgian Orthodox Monks, living between the mountains and sky, confirm
their devotion in relative solitude. We pay homage to their lifestyle and visit these amazingly beautiful remote monastery locations.
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We are excited to return
to Georgia to complete the interviews and dialogues and the project has received the formal endorsement of the Georgian Embassy in Germany.
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Upon completion, DEVOUT will reveal the lives of the monks and devotees living within the
monasteries of the Khashuri and Kareli
districts in the Urbnisi Eparchy. (With the request of His Holiness, Ilia II, we are exploring the possibility to expand the project to include all the Eparchies of Georgia) This region has the largest
concentrated number of monasteries in Georgia whose original construction dates back to the 11th century.
The film travels to a cliff monastery perched 1700 meters on the side of
mountain; through beautiful mountain landscapes and to the small cave which
holds the bones of monks murdered in the 14th century. We feel privileged the project has been given
a blessing and access to previously unseen (undocumented) special holy sites
and this film boasts the first time some of these scenes have been recorded for
publication. An assemblage of
interviews with His Holiness, Ilia II and with the archbishop of Urbnisi, priests, monks and devotees is combined with everyday
footage that exposes the rituals of the current monastic life. We are inspired by their unwavering devotion,
love, and respect and so very excited to bring this reportage to you!
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Thus far we have
created this film all on our own, with no support from grants, sponsors,
funders, or financial backers. We have collectively served our creative
spirits. In the last 2 years, we have put in hours researching, planning,
filming, and editing to get to where we are, and spent thousands of dollars of
our own money to produce it. Our first visit to the monasteries was in the
summer of 2012. This spring 2014, the project was given a new blessing by
Archbishop Iobi and permission to return for further filming.
But without your help we can only go so
far.
Join us in this
campaign and you will be supporting this important phase.
Together we
create the work, together we finish the work, together we offer the work to the
world.
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What We Need & What You Receive.
We have created 3 main funding goals In order to complete the
filming.
Our initial GOAL is to
raise $64,000 to go towards:
-shooting days of production,
-camera, lighting, and sound costs,
-production support staff,
-rights & development costs,
-transportation into and out of the mountains of Georgia,
-location and field costs, and
-fees for original
cartography and typography artwork.
Our 1st Stretch GOAL of an additional
$35,000 will go towards:
-post production editing,
-original music production and license fees,
-sound design and sound mixing,
-video color gradient adjustments and balancing,
-creation of main and end titles,
-translation and sub titles,
-Mastering the Digital Cinema Package(needed for theater screenings).
Our 2nd Stretch GOAL of $20,000 will go towards:
-DVD production
-A PR strategy with Online
marketing
-Advertising
-Multi-city theatrical
release
-Distribution
-Legal counsel**
The more we can raise, the further we can promote this beautiful
and inspiring film. We sincerely hope you will find a level that meets your possibility to contribute to our film project.
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Impact
The benefits of supporting this film go beyond the downloads,
DVDs, names in the film, elite producer status, or any of the other unique
perks we offer. You will be part of a faith-based movement working towards a
deeper conscious awakening. By supporting this campaign, you are aligning with
those who have faith and devote their lives to expressing their faith for us.
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Other Ways You
Can Help
Besides a
financial contribution to the campaign, you can play a vital role by
sharing this link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all other social
media platforms.
We never know who might be inspired to participate.
Send an email to your friends, family, or co-workers. Indiegogo has some
great sharing tools. It is only with all of us working together that we can
make this project happen.
We trust you will join us. Thank you.
James Higginson
Director/Producer
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*Once the film is completed and released, we will be sending out
the link for digital downloads and shipping the DVD's.
* *We can still use a great deal of help from experts in the fields of
event/screening organizing, etc. To lend your unique skills to this film,
please let us know how you would like to help by writing us at info@avonbiehl.com.
