LIMITED ENGAGEMENT (DEC. ONLY): Young Ali: those were the days

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LIMITED ENGAGEMENT (DEC ONLY)

Description
"Young Ali: those were the days" offers a rare glimpse into first-generation Iranian American family life. The film is an intimate portrait of a middle-aged Persian man who, after losing his job and divorcing his wife during Covid, moves back home to confront his emotional afflictions and shed his past. There is an internal expectation that Ali's set for himself that he's failed to meet and that's where our story begins - with Ali confronting this and reinventing himself.

Runtime: 1 hour, 38 minutes, 19 seconds
Best Viewed: Cinema Presentation

Director Statement
This project was conceived at the beginning of the Covid pandemic when fear, uncertainty, and doubt ruled our lives. With restrictions in place, the limitations imposed forced a methodology and structure of filmmaking relating to the times and lent themselves graciously towards personal auteur pursuits. The work reflects personal lives unraveling in real time: stillness, turmoil, and a collective experiential time-warp, yet still, hope and humanism remain as they always do.

My work focuses on stories that evoke truth, emotional discovery, and the beauty in the ordinary, where most of life is lived. This is a work that will resonate with those seeking a better and more honest understanding of themselves, and even those desperately searching for it any way they can, in what the masses might consider, “McSpiritualism.” Either way, humans find a way.

With the help of Charles (my producing partner), we dove headfirst into thinking about how we could mix naturalism and surrealism to tell the story of a middle-aged Iranian American man; a topic not often seen on screen, not to mention an Iranian family unit. Ali's story advocates the idea that identity is fluid and that our past does not have to dictate our future happiness -- there's always room to change your life for the better.

I hope this work resonates with you. It is an offering, and I am obliged to share it with you.

Director Biography - Amir Motlagh
Auteur filmmaker Amir Motlagh has written and directed over 20 titles, including the feature films YOUNG ALI: THOSE WHERE THE DAYS (post-prod), THREE WORLDS, MAN, WHALE & RAINBOW SEASON (also a full-length LP). He is the recipient of multiple awards and is a cross-media artist who makes music under the moniker “Mirs” as singer, songwriter, and record producer. He frequently collaborates with other recognized international artists. He is the founder of ANIMALS. He creates both physical & digital fine art.

Credits & Specifications
Amir Motlagh (Writer, Director, Key Cast, “Ali”)
Charles Borg (Writer)Writer
Charles Borg (Producer)
Darren Stephens (Key Cast, "Life Coach")
Tom Deters (Key Cast, "ProYou Podcaster")
Michael Flowers (Key Cast, "Lee")
Yousef Motlagh (Key Cast, “Father”)
Steve Dwyer (Key Cast, "Motivational Podcaster")
Atefeh Motlagh (Key Cast)

Completion Date: August 1, 2023
Country of Filming: United States
Language: English