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My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

A documentary about a female artist's journey before and during the current protests in Iran.

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My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

My Room in Tehran Is Called America - 2nd Phase

A documentary about a female artist's journey before and during the current protests in Iran.

A documentary about a female artist's journey before and during the current protests in Iran.

A documentary about a female artist's journey before and during the current protests in Iran.

A documentary about a female artist's journey before and during the current protests in Iran.

Pirooz Kalayeh
Pirooz Kalayeh
Pirooz Kalayeh
Pirooz Kalayeh
14 Campaigns |
Carbondale, United States
$2,910 USD 24 backers
14% of $20,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 14 Projects Mountain Filled 14 Projects

Our Story

My name is Pirooz Kalayeh. I have been making films for the past 12 years that explore innovations in storytelling, different approaches to spirituality, and, more recently, multicultural stories about identity, belonging, and human rights.

My current project, MY ROOM IN TEHRAN IS CALLED AMERICA, is a documentary feature that details a female Iranian artist's journey to a life without censorship in modern day Iran before and during the current female-led protests and includes interviews with other Iranian artists in diaspora who relate their journeys and reflections on what is happening in the country.  

Havah, a female Iranian artist, is torn between staying in a country and culture she has always known and leaving for the United States to finally be afforded a life without censorship. Toiling during the day in one life and journaling at night to dream in another, the film documents her struggles—first in Iran, then Istanbul, where she waits for a visa to America. Parts memoir, travelogue, and love story, “MY ROOM” is a real-life Handmaid’s Tale that lifts the veil on a woman faced with a difficult choice on her journey to freedom in modern day Iran.

What We Need & What You Get

Since this film is timely, I will be travelling in December to various places around the world for interviews. This will require a lot of funds in air travel, camera equipment rentals, and lodging expenses. Our hope is to raise at least $20,000 in support to help in this next phase of production and allow for us to capture footage as our story has grown to include an entire country’s battle cry for women, life, and freedom.

Our perks include original artwork, T-shirts, digital downloads, Skype sessions to discuss scriptwriting or distribution, producing credit, and much more:

  • $5 - Supporter (BTS stills and Blog)
  • $20 - Digital Downloads
  • $40 - T-Shirts
  • $100 - Original Animation Sketches 
  • $250 - Scriptwriting Doctor - 1 Hour Private Session
  • $250 - Distribution Doctor - 1 Hour Private Session
  • $500 - Original Paintings by Pirooz Kalayeh
  • $2500 - Producer Credit
  • $5000 - Executive Producer Credit

The Impact

This journey for freedom and safety has been something I have valued greatly being an Iranian immigrant, I recognize the sacrifices my parents made coming to the United States shortly before the Islamic Revolution. I have witnessed many relatives and friends who have suffered and made incredible journeys to be afforded female autonomy, equality, freedom of speech, and a life without censorship.  

Since Havah has already been in limbo for the past two and a half years -- and the various routes toward her potential emigration to the United States could require a prolonged wait time -- offering support would greatly help both the film and the artist at this crucial time when all hope seems lost.  

We are also keenly aware that media representation of what has been happening in Iran has barely been broadcast in the west – and that the Islamic Regime, itself, is paying 37 million dollars per day to prevent its citizens from having Internet to prevent anyone from sharing the horrible atrocities that are currently happening as young protesters, human rights activists, artists, and writers are being tortured, imprisoned, and killed, as they fight for their freedom.

Our hope is that by shining a light on Havah’s story, and the countless others who will share similar stories, along with the protest footage in the country, that this film will bring an understanding and empathy to the dangers of totalitarianism and help all of us understand the power of freedom – and the shared responsibility we have to those who do not have such rights.

Gratitude

Thank you so much for your interest and support. It has been because of your continued lifting that these films have been made and we have had an opportunity to create dialogue and possibilities for change, empathy, and understanding.

If you are interested in supporting “My Room” in other ways besides donations, shares, and comments, please send queries to pk@ilikenirvana.com

To view additional clips or learn more about this film, please visit ilikenirvana.com.

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Choose your Perk

Gratitude

Gratitude

$1 USD $5 USD (80% off)
Gratitude is an opportunity to support the film and put it on the radar for others in your community. All "Gratitude" Supporters! will receive access to BTS material and monthly production updates.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
Estimated Shipping
November 2022
0 claimed
Valued Supporter

Valued Supporter

$5 USD $10 USD (50% off)
Salom Valued Supporters will receive access to blog updates, behind-the-scenes photos, and a "Special Thanks" in the end credits of the film.
Included Items
  • Special Thanks
Estimated Shipping
November 2022
0 claimed
Digital Download

Digital Download

$20 USD $30 USD (33% off)
Digital Download Supporters will receive blog access, name in the thank you section of credits, and a digital download of the completed film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
Estimated Shipping
January 2025
3 claimed
Impact Supporter

Impact Supporter

$20 USD $30 USD (33% off)
An Impact Supporter perk is a contribution made in solidarity and includes optional perks and a special thanks at the end credits of the film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
Estimated Shipping
January 2024
3 claimed
T-Shirt Supporter

T-Shirt Supporter

$40 USD $60 USD (33% off)
Official T-Shirt Supporters will receive an official "My Room" T-shirt, access to blogs, a digital download when the film is released, and their name in a special thanks in the credits
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • T-shirt
Estimated Shipping
March 2023
3 claimed
Distribution Session

Distribution Session

$250 USD $500 USD (50% off)
Distribution Sessions Supporters will receive two 1-hour Zoom sessions to discuss best methods to distribute their scripts, films, or other types of media content to audiences, blag access, a digital download of the film upon release, and a special thank you in the end credits of the film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • Distribution Tips
Estimated Shipping
January 2023
1 out of 5 of claimed
Editing Session

Editing Session

$350 USD $500 USD (30% off)
Editing Session Supporters will receive three 1-hour Zoom or phone sessions to discuss potential edits for their short films or features, blog access, a digital download of the film upon release, and a special thank you in the end credits of the film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • Editing Tips
Estimated Shipping
January 2023
0 claimed
Private Screenwriting Sessions

Private Screenwriting Sessions

$500 USD $2,000 USD (75% off)
Screenwriting Session Supporters will receive five 1-hour Zoom sessions to discuss and prepare a script and get feedback on potential edits and avenues for funding or production tips, blog access, a digital download of the film upon release, and a special thank you in the end credits of the film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • Screenwriting Tips
Estimated Shipping
January 2023
0 out of 20 of claimed
Producer

Producer

$4,000 USD $8,000 USD (50% off)
Producers will receive optional tickets to one of our film premieres (flight and lodging not included), blog access, a digital download of the film once released, an official "My Room" T-shirt, a custom 16x20 painting, and a producer credit in the film.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • T-shirt
  • Painting
Estimated Shipping
January 2023
0 out of 5 of claimed
Angel Supporter

Angel Supporter

$10,000 USD $15,000 USD (33% off)
Angels are benefactors who will be given extra special thanks in credits and listed as "Producer" or "Executive Producer" if so desired in credits and promotional materials. Independent films are rarely made without having at least a few angel benefactors. We are so grateful for your support and belief in this project.
Included Items
  • BTS and Blog Materials
  • Special Thanks
  • Digital Download
  • T-shirt
  • Painting
Estimated Shipping
January 2023
0 claimed

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