About this project
The I Don't Understand Movie Ever since I completed and exhibited my personal short film (Ana Mish Fahim) to many different people across the US and in the Middle East – and my family - I have been dreaming of the day when I could make a more in-depth feature length version of my film. I’m happy to say, that the time has come!
The content of my new documentary - The I Don’t Understand Movie – has been brewing in mind for as long as I can remember. In this film I will expose more personally what it has meant to me to be an average American and at the same time a kid who plays soccer in the streets with all the other street kids in Cairo. Or what it was like to skateboard in Cairo on ledges that were never meant to be ‘grinded’ on. It's been a lifetime of combining my American and Egyptian cultures.
The timing of this journey to Cairo also couldn’t come at a more momentous time. Young people throughout the Arab world have risen up against dictators, and insurmountable odds, and they have revolutionized the Middle East. Egypt, being a major player in the Middle East, has had a profound effect on the region. That is all fine and good, but I wonder how these developments have changed the neighborhood I left behind last year (January 22nd, 2011). The small neighborhood where my family lives that I have been returning to every year of my life. Soon enough I will see for myself!
Thank you for all the support!
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Our aim is to support local artists along the way too!!
When you donate to some of our incentives, you will be supporting:
Arabic Hip Hop CD:
- Artist: Deeb
- Album: Cairofornia EP
- Website: http://deeb.bandcamp.com/album/cairofornia-ep
- In the media:http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/music/hip-hop-is-not-dead-it-just-moved-to-the-arab-world.html
Photographs:
- Photographer: Christina Rizk
- Website: www.christinarizk.com/
You get to choose from 1 of the 6 photos below. The photo you select will be printed as a 10" x 12" high resolution photograph and sent directly to your home!
February 12, 2011. Evening of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepping down
January 28th, 2011. Protestors in Imbaba marching in protest of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak
February 12, 2011. Evening of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepping down
February 12, 2011. Evening of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepping down
February 12, 2011. Evening of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepping down
February 12, 2011. Evening of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stepping down
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
81
Backers
$7,000
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 3.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
شكراً ... THANK YOU! An invitation to the screening of the documentary at a college near you!
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GIFT BAG. Classic Egyptian postcard of old Cairo + Jan 25 Revolution Stickers, all from Egypt!
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
EGYPTIAN HIP HOP ARTIST. Hip hop isn't dead, it just moved to the Middle East. Get an Arabic CD by artist DEEB (an artist who performed in Tahrir during the revolution).
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
DVD. Special Edition digital download of the documentary + All of the above!
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DVD. Signed copy of Special Edition DVD + All of the Above!
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
PHONE CONFERENCE with a real Egyptian activist, a blogger, a politician, and a philosopher (they will share their experiences w/ the group), in collaboration with an international multi person phone conference service. Moderated by Mustafa + All of the above!
Pledge $85 or more Pledge $85 or more
LOCAL EGYPTIAN PHOTOGRAPHY (photographs from the revolution, by Christina Rizk) as seen down below. There will be a few to choose from + All of the Above!
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
PRODUCTION BOOK. A personalized copy of a photo book by Mustafa, documenting the trip to and through Cairo this winter. This book will have stills and text commemorating this films personal journey!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
PATRON. A special thank you on the films website under link for donors, w/ your name listed as a patron, special thanks in the credits. Signed poster from the Ana Mish Fahim team + All of the above!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT. You will receive updates as the film is being shot and be sent DVDs with the latest cut of the film and be able to offer feedback, as well as being listed as an associate producer in the credits. Three tickets to the premier of the film in Los Angeles + All of the above!
Pledge $1,001 or more Pledge $1,001 or more
**Please Note** - International backers (meaning all those outside the United States) please add a little more money to any of the amounts you pledge below in order to cover international shipping costs. Thanks!
Project By
Connected as Mustafa Toby Eck (807 friends)
Living overseas and traveling as a youth stirred Mustafa’s early fascination with film and photography. At the age of ten he received a Polaroid camera from his mother, which he still marks as a milestone moment in his life as an artist. Throughout high school, in both Arizona and in the Middle East, he began to explore filmmaking by making skateboarding videos of he and his friends.
Mustafa attended the Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking. During this time, he explored misconceptions surrounding the Middle East, peering into his own bi-cultural heritage for inspiration. The result was an award winning short documentary titled Ana Mish Fahim – I Don’t Understand, a film that was shown in festivals worldwide, and became a finalist for the Student Academy Award. The film notably featured a rare interview with Gihan Sadat, the widow of Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat.
Days before the Egyptian revolution (Jan. 25 2011), Mustafa directed an Arabic hip-hop music video in the heart of Tahrir Square. In 2010 Mustafa produced an award-winning short film (Panavision New Filmmakers Grant, The Hollywood Foreign Press Award), The Perfect Gentleman, which is currently screening across the United States. Mustafa is currently studying film and television production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Mustafa was also recently selected for a media/communications scholarship from the Islamic Scholarship Foundation and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
