VERSION FRANÇAISE

BONJOUR!

I'm Jim Le, writer and director of L'AMÉRICAIN, an independent short film project I've been developing over the years which could be described as a modern French New Wave "couch surfing" tale. It's an exciting, new project for me because it will also be my first film in French (to find out more about what inspired me, please check out the video above).

Our aim is to get this short film into film festivals and share this story with the world, but at the same time, it'll also act as my project proposal when I submit my French Visa renewal application this year. As a recipient of the "Skills & Talent" Visa (which has allowed me to live and work in France as an artist for the past few years), I am required to propose a new project in France that is fully-financed and backed up by not only the French community, but my own community back in the US as well. In the end, this film could be the very reason why I'd be allowed to stay in France.

But, of course, I can't do this project without your help!!

So what's this film about? ...

FILM SYNOPSIS

One night after falling victim to an aggressive mugging, a lonely Parisian offers shelter to the mysterious American backpacker who came to his aid. Despite their initial struggle with the language barrier, their chance encounter soon develops into an unlikely friendship. As they communicate with each other over the next few days, their walls slowly begin to break down, and the two strangers suddenly find themselves opening up in ways they never thought they could. This modern French New Wave story is told through a series of intimate moments which illustrate the inadvertent effects we have on the people we come across with and the lasting impressions they can leave on us. 
[ READ THE DIRECTOR STATEMENT ]

Title: The American
Genre: Short Film / Drama / Fiction
Writer/Director: Jim Le
Length: 15-25 minutes
Language: French
Color: Black & White
Video Format: 7D or 5D Mark II (depending on our budget)
Setting: Paris, France
Filming Dates: April 2012

HOW DOES KICKSTARTER WORK?

Kickstarter is a fundraising platform to help people produce their independent projects in a cool way! We set a goal and a deadline for our project, and if we get enough generous people to donate so we can meet that goal, we get to make our project! And if you donate, you'd be getting some fun rewards which are listed to the right!

WHAT IS YOUR KICKSTARTER GOAL?

Our goal is to raise more than $4,000 US to help us get through the production and post-production phase of our project. We've already surpassed the minimum goal in just TEN days thanks to all the generous donations we got from friends and supporters! We are so grateful - it's been overwhelming! And with 25 days left to spare before the April 1 deadline, we hope to keep the momentum going as we still need all the help we can get. So if you'd still like to lend your support, you still can! Every dollar we continue to raise will only help make this project better!

HOW WILL MY CONTRIBUTION WILL BE USED?

• Equipment & Location Rental: expensive, but necessary as we'll need to rent the space (two apartments), camera, lenses, sound equipment, lights and other equipment (walkie talkies, monitor, etc.) needed for the film shoot
• Logistics: transportation, lodging, accessories, food on-the-table for the cast & crew, and insurance to cover everybody during the three-day shoot
• Post-Production: sound mixing, color correction, festival submission fees, HD masters and dubs for screenings and distribution, DVDs and packaging
• and other unforeseen costs during the production and post-production

OK! WHERE DO I START? :)

To support me and my movie, just click the green "Back This Project" button at the top of the page to start! You'll get to choose your reward and whatever amount you'd like to donate! I promise you won't go unrecognized for your support - we THANK YOU!

If you're unable to give, but would still like to support the project, you can! Follow us on the blog, share the project on your Facebook page, and talk about it with your friends or anyone who might be interested in participating! Any support means a lot! 

GET UPDATED ON THE FILM AND VISIT US!

• FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/americainfilm
• BLOG: http://l-americain.tumblr.com

VIEW MY PREVIOUS WORK

• Park Bench (2007)
• Expats (2008)
• Jim Le (web site)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! AND PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT! THANKS IN AVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! :)