Movie Synopsis
In “Not In My Name”, Sarah, an Israeli evacuee, and her daughter seek solace in the English countryside home of her half-brother Abraham, a man caught between his Palestinian and Israeli roots. The family’s fragile peace is tested as Sarah’s presence ignites tension with Abraham’s Palestinian wife, Hagar. Through a domestic crisis, these two women from opposing sides of a bitter conflict are forced to confront their prejudices. Amidst the backdrop of war and the innocence of their children’s interactions, they embark on a tentative journey towards understanding and a shared humanity, revealing that even old enemies can find a path to reconciliation.
Clearly Communicated Idea
“Not In My Name” is a powerful narrative film set against the backdrop of a long-standing conflict, portrayed through the intimate lens of a family’s struggle for understanding and peace. This story, weaving the personal journeys of Sarah and Hagar, aims to explore themes of identity, reconciliation, and the possibility of harmony beyond deep-seated divisions. It’s a project born from the belief that storytelling has the power to heal and unite, making it an essential contribution to the creative community and audiences worldwide.
Solid Plan for Completion
Current Progress and Future Plans Having completed half of the shooting, we’ve captured the essential scenes that lay the foundation for Sarah and Abraham’s complex family dynamics and the evolving relationship between Sarah and Hagar. The next steps focus on:
- Completing the Shoot: Finalizing the remaining scenes, particularly those requiring specific settings in the English countryside and key emotional confrontations between characters (estimated 2 months).
- Post-production: Editing, sound design, and scoring, as well as integrating visual effects to enhance the storytelling (estimated 4 months).
- Marketing and Distribution: Developing a strategy for film festival submissions, screenings, and securing distribution channels to ensure the film reaches a broad audience (ongoing, parallel to post-production).
Since the first concept, Not In My Name has evolved through 14 screenplay drafts, a proof-of-concept trailer, and presentations at the Cannes Film Festival and Market. We have applied to several major film funds — including the BFI Discovery Feature Fund and the Doha Film Institute, both of which were unfortunately not successful. However, we have since submitted new applications to the BFI National Lottery Development Funding and Film4, which are currently under consideration, and we remain hopeful for positive results. Despite these challenges, the project continues to grow stronger and more urgent, driven by the belief that this story must be told.
Conclusion
“Not In My Name” stands as a testament to the power of cinema to bridge divides and illuminate shared humanity. Through this Kickstarter campaign, we invite backers to be part of a project that not only promises an enriching cinematic experience but also contributes to broader conversations around conflict, peace, and reconciliation.
Following our recent applications to the BFI National Lottery Development Fund and Film4, we remain hopeful that new support will soon allow us to move into production and bring this story to life.
Your support will be instrumental in bringing this poignant and timely story to screens worldwide.
