THE STORY

Solidarity is a narrative drama short film following two undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles dealing with loss who connect through collective action.

The first immigrant is a Mexican woman named Inés, played by Elpidia Carrillo (Predator, Seven Pounds, Salvador, The Other Conquest) who works in a garment factory sweatshop.

The second immigrant is a Lithuanian man named Tomas, played by Mantas Valantiejus, who works in a butcher shop.

Solidarity is being made as a thesis film in Prof. Salvador Carrasco's (The Other Conquest) Film 33 class at Santa Monica College.

We have also partnered with the community based philanthropic organization Operation Street Kidz, which is dedicated to creating success among youth especially throughout the inner cities. They work to help kids and teens achieve their dreams through arts, film, media, music, and entertainment.

Help us make this film possible and bring this important story to life!

CAST & CREW

ELPIDIA CARRILLO: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001990/
is a Mexican actress who has appeared in various acclaimed Latin-American films and television shows, in addition to many Hollywood films.

Carrillo was born in Parácuaro, Michoacán, Mexico. To American audiences, she is perhaps best known for her roles in the Oliver Stone film Salvador, where she acted alongside James Woods, and for her role as the survivor, Anna, in Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger. A winner of numerous awards, she has also worked with Johnny Depp, Will Smith in Seven Pounds, Jack Nicholson, Adrien Brody in Bread and Roses, and with Holly Hunter and Glenn Close in Nine Lives.

MANTAS VALANTIEJUS (Actor/Producer): http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4201267/
is a Lithuanian actor that has been working in theatre and film for the past three years. This will be the fourth film Dustin and him have done together, and his second film Producing. Mantas just finished acting the lead role in the AFI Thesis Film titled Kalifornija.

DUSTIN BROWN (Writer/Director): http://www.imdb.me/dustinbrown
has been directing, writing, and editing for over five years. He founded his own production company Dustin Todd Films in early 2007. Since then he has worked on many films, music videos, commercials, and live events. In between films, Dustin works as staff videographer and editor for the renown theatre and performing arts center The Broad Stage, in Santa Monica, CA.

Trailer to the film Becoming, Dustin recently wrote, directed, and edited:

MARK MANNSCHRECK (DP): http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3319563/
Working both as Director of Photography and as an Editor for commercials and music videos, Mark is making the move back to his passion, narrative film.

As a DP, a short list of his commercial clients include Coca Cola, Skechers, Kraft, Harley Davidson, and Fender Guitars - as well as music videos/films for artists such as John Legend, Keyshia Cole, The Backstreet Boys, Timbaland, and TV on the Radio (a video nominated for a 2012 Grammy).

Mark graduated from the University of Arizona (BFA Film/Television) on a full Regent's Scholarship. He was born in Nebraska and raised in Chicagoland. Mark has lived in Los Angeles since 1992.

What Will My Pledge Be Spent On?

• Locations
• Production Equipment such as the Red Epic
• Hiring Crew
• Insurance and Permits
• Post-Production (color correction, sound mix, music)

How Does Kickstarter Work?

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding website for creative projects. It is powered by an all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands.  Backers get rewards based on the different amounts they pledge.

Can we exceed the goal?

Yes! $10,000 is the bare minimum that we need to make this happen. The more we get the better the film will be. That means more money put into production costs, rental equipment, more days of shooting, and better post-production facilities.

THANK YOU!