Latest News:
Our heartfelt gratefulness to all of you who have made this campaign a success! We will keep you regularly posted on the progression of the film. Love and Light, Amanda and the Young Of The Morning team.
Our Story
YOUNG OF THE MORNING is a documentary
film exploring the life and journey of world-renowned DJ, producer and Global Fusion
pioneer, Cheb i Sabbah, as he travels through India performing shows, recording his latest album and seeking Ayurvedic adjuvant cancer therapy, weaved with a biography of his musical career, which began during the 60's in the Parisian
discothèques with a stack of 7'' Soul records and Don Cherry as his
mentor.
Born in Algeria, Chebiji (as he is
affectionately known) enjoys a worldwide reputation as a magician of the dance
floor. Known as a major pioneer of Global Fusion or World Fusion Music, he has
seven albums under his belt with Six Degrees Records, and, for the past 40 years, has played
to millions of fans around the world.
Sadly 8 months ago, doctors gave Cheb just four weeks to
live after diagnosing him with stage 4 stomach cancer.
With the help of his generous fans and a fundraiser, Cheb received intensive treatment in Germany and, thankfully, pulled through. Upon his return, he wrote: "The doctors were wrong in part of their diagnosis. They did not take into account the power of prayers and the power of love from the thousands of my friends, fans and family. It is because of your love, your prayers and your generosity that I am still alive today."
Amanda Estremera, Young of the Morning Director, was inspired to walk this journey with Cheb and document his life's work and the story behind the man who successfully merges spirituality and music.
Amanda recalls: "I’d always known Cheb i Sabbah's art, life and persona would provide for a fascinating film but when Cheb returned from Germany, I knew time was of the essence and I wrote him an email saying that I wanted to make a film about his life story, and his answer, in French, was simply "Oui, super, on y va!" ("Yes, great, lets do it!").
And so the journey has begun!
The Impact
The impact that Cheb has had on the music industry can not be overemphasized or underestimated. Not only is he an internationally acclaimed DJ who pulls in crowds of thousands creating a communion of love and oneness, his approach to music can best be described as an ethnomusicologist, taking traditional sounds and blending them with modern music, in essence writing music and bridging generational and geographical gaps. His work forms many of the sounds we are familiar with in modern music which is why Cheb has countless fans spanning the globe.
From an artistic and spiritual standpoint, the film explores the
role that music plays in bringing people together and helping them
access the divine or their true selves. The sacred sounds that Cheb
uses, mixed with electronica, are a gateway to a state of consciousness
where boundaries, gender and race dissolve, leaving the audience
feeling connected and at one. In yoga, this is referred to as Bhakti or
Devotion.
YOUNG OF THE MORNING will also expose social and artistic issues that reach beyond Cheb's impact on the music world, while dipping into the crisis many musicians and the industry currently face since digital distribution has become the norm. Musicians of Cheb’s caliber must now support themselves mostly through shows and film scores as revenues from record or CD sales increasingly decline. The film will raise awareness on that subject.
The appalling state of the health insurance industry in America, especially for people facing life threatening illnesses, will also be a component of the film. Being a cancer survivor herself, Amanda has experienced first hand her shocking inability to obtain health coverage.
We know the film will have an enormous impact, not only on Cheb’s many fans around the world, but on those who have an interest in India and its classical music and traditions, as well as people affected by the social and artistic issues the film is raising and anyone inspired by the biography of great artists.
What We Need
So far the project has been self-funded and has earned the support of
Cheb as well as his friends, record label and a team of professional
film makers. The next stage in the journey requires funding for the hire
of kit and crew in India, basic accommodation, and editing of the
footage upon our return. We will then be applying for traditional funds
by way of grants, but in order to capture this critical part of Cheb’s
story we need immediate funding to follow him on his journey to India.
The reality of filmmaking is that it costs money and what you put in determines the level of production value of the final project. The funding amount we are seeking is to ensure that we can film the duration of Cheb’s trip to India using a professional team to get high production value, and capture the best moments of Cheb’s journey, as this will also insure our acquiring substantial finishing funds from traditional grants and funders back in the States.
Specifically this will fund the cost of our director and editor Amanda Estremera, and a small local crew to accompany Cheb for 3 months covering the cost of flights, basic accommodation for 90 days, food, crew hire, equipment rental, a DP and sound team, and editing on the fly and back in the States.
What You Get
Our IndieGogo campaign is not just about you giving us money to make a film, we have committed time and resources to offer you a variety of gifts as a exchange of energy. Most of you contributing will either get a digital download of bonus footage or the entire film upon completion.
Many of you lucky folks ;) will get a DVD signed by Amanda with a film postcard autographed by Chebi or Amanda; and perks go as far as credits on the film, editing sessions with Amanda, French gourmet private lunch at Amanda's home, lunch or diner with Amanda and Cheb, VIP premiere of the film with performance by Cheb i Sabbah, or even a private party with performance by Cheb i Sabbah and dancers.
So yes, the more you contribute, the sweeter the gifts, but ultimately your contribution is helping to fund a powerful, touching film that the filmmaking team is thoroughly devoted to bringing to completion.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you have any miles you wish to donate towards a flight to India, fabulous! Equipment you think we could use? Bring it on! And of course, the best way to help, besides contributing financially, is to get the word out to everyone and their mother!
Besides fans of Cheb, many people will be keenly interested in issues such as facing a life threatening illness without health insurance, the music industry crisis, blending East and West musically or the role music plays in yoga and spirituality. Please, post on your FB page, tweet, speak to others... let's make this happen from the ground up!
With infinite gratitude and breathless excitement,
The Young Of The Morning team-