Why this film?
The Cause:
In 2000, the United Nations estimated that approximately 5,000 girls worldwide were victims of “honor killings.” Honor killing is a form of homicide that is directed at girls in the name of religion and a family’s honor. Many Americans may think that a phenomenon, such as "honor killing" exists only overseas, but social service agencies and law enforcement personnel confirm that there are many reported and even unreported cases.
Your Part:
Your donations are highly appreciated to help bring this story to life. To make a film that’s worthy of the cause, we need your help to hire talented actors, scout and lease the best locations, design sets, and rent the needed equipment.
Why we need your help?
The money that you contribute will be used to raise the production value of the film.
“For Family’s Sake” is a passion project not only for the writer, director, and producer, but also for the entire crew. Most crewmembers are volunteering their time and talent without any monetary compensation because they believe in the significance of such a story.
We ask your help to make their pursuit possible by donating to our film.
Pre-production, including casting, insurances, set design, equipment, locations, etc: $4,000.
Production / on set, including a specialized sound recorder, craft services, etc: $1000.
Post-Production, including editing, sound design, colorist, and score: 1500.
Distribution, including marketing, screenings and film festival submissions: $1000.
The Impact
“For Family’s Sake” tackles candidly a controversial topic that affects young women not only overseas, but also in the United States. The film does not force an ideology on the audience. It simply shows how young, Muslim women are often victims of their fundamentally religious families.
Recent films by the writer and director Sam Shaib have screened in various festivals in the United States and abroad, including:
- Boston LGBT Film Festival
- Torino LGBT Film Festival
- San Antonio Q Fest
- Reel it Out Film Festival in Virginia
One of the short films, “Cant,” has won several awards including:
- Award of Merit at the Best Shorts Competition in La Jolla, California.
- Best LGBT Drama Short at the International Filmmakers Showcase in LA.
- Best Director, Best Drama and the Championship of Miami international film festival CinemaSlam 2013.
“Cant” has also been selected for viewing on Comcast’s On Demand in the Greater Boston Region.
The Synopsis
Sama is an Arab American, high school student who is in love with Patrick, an all-American boy. But, Sama is not your typical teenager.
Born to a traditional Muslim family, she discovers that is she to be betrothed to a 32-year-old Muslim man, a marriage her recently widowed mother had planned very carefully to ease their financial situation.
Sama hides her intimate relationship with Patrick from her family, especially her ultra-conservative brother, Rami, who is considered the head of the family after the death of their father.
Sama does not want to get married. She and Patrick runaway, but her mother and Rami find out.
Will Sama escape the arranged marriage or will she become another victim of religious and cultural beliefs that are rooted in thousands of years of tradition?
The Director
Sam Shaib was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. At age 14, Sam started writing and directing school plays. He moved to the United States at the age of 18 in hopes of pursuing his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Sam shaib has written and directed several short films, including “Pro Life,” “Alm's Giver,” and the multi-award-winning “Cant.” He has also written a television program “Bain Al Wilayat” that aired on El Ekhbariya news channel in 2006. Additionally, he co-directed and co-produced a reality show pilot, “Nothing Less Than Stunning.”