ABROAD (2018)
ABROAD is a short film directed by Zayn Alexander and written by Pascale Seigneurie. Alexander’s directorial debut stars both Alexander and Seigneurie. Produced by ZMA Entertainment and in association with Rorbi Productions, ABROAD made its world premiere at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 2, 2018.
“A well-written, well-acted slice of life film with an intelligent, subtle and precise sociopolitical subtext.”
“Presented in a perfectly accessible, uncomplicated, relatable narrative format that addresses issues ranging from difference of opinion and questioning the future to deeper topics like societal conventions and expectations, director/producer Alexander and writer Seigneurie’s 10-minute exploration into the potential collapse of the American Dream for an immigrant couple is both relevant and provocative. ”
“Entertaining and Touching.”
“Abroad can safely claim a space among well-conceived, credibly engineered, and suitably pertinent short film efforts while deftly yet effortlessly conveying its message for us as the viewer to chew on with straightforward intent.”
“In a world full of overly expensive special effects-driven films which have little in terms of a story, we need more films like Abroad. It has heart, it has character, and it has layers.”
“Abroad gives proof to the point that when you start with a solid screenplay and cast two fine actors who can carry it off, the audience is bound to follow. ”
“Not only was it entertaining watching these two people in their uncertain moments, this was also a great way to shed some light on an ongoing real-life situation. ”
“Our leading cast put on one hell of a show. Seigneurie and Alexander have seemingly little problem portraying the life of this couple. They are believable in their roles and don’t miss a beat.”
“Alexander and Seigneurie are exquisite.”
“Un court métrage simple, doux et subtil dans l’écriture et dans le jeu, qui expose plusieurs problèmes imbriqués, dont on sent qu’ils entrent en écho les uns avec les autres.”
“Subtilement, de manière organique, le film évolue comme dans une pièce de théâtre, un seul lieu, un seul temps, l’espace d’une discussion où la tension se fait croissante. ”
“Abroad is a stark statement about the entertainment industry and the difficulties of minorities to achieve their dreams in an art form where they were stigmatized decades ago. It’s an important short I hope people check out. ”
SBIFF 2018 Filmmaker Seminar: SHORTS FILMMAKERS
During the 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival, actor/director Zayn Alexander discussed along with filmmakers Randall Christopher, Daniel Chein, and Kyle Morrison the unusual challenges in their projects, how they deal with changes in their plans, what you should and shouldn't fear as an aspiring filmmaker. The panel was moderated by Michael Albright.
Zayn Alexander attends the 33rd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos Award Presentation at the Arlington Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. Source: Getty
Director Statement
There are a lot of conversations taking place today at the national stage, one of them is that of diversity. While the industry has come a long way, particularly when it comes to embracing diverse characters, the issue still remains. I believe that true diversity means cultural inclusiveness in all of its forms with the story being front and center. It's one thing to greenlight a generic storyline and include a diverse cast (LGBTQ, Asian, African American, Middle-Eastern, etc.), it's a whole other thing to present the lives of people from different cultures and, as a result, pave the way for an organic casting process and true change.
ABROAD is my first film as a filmmaker. I'm also an actor in the project. This film started out as a personal experiment between Pascale and myself. Pascale Seigneurie is my writer and co-star. We wanted to tell a story about how we as people are not so different from each other regardless of where we come from. Our stories, emotions, and thoughts are universal. We’ve all experienced that inner conflict of having to choose between our dreams and material reality. We’ve all experienced that yearn for what we believe is an idealistic existence and how, eventually, we succumb to the temptations of the regular.
ABROAD revolves around actors and the film industry. However, the film is not just a short film about the typecasting of Middle-Eastern actors. The real focus are the lives of a Lebanese couple beyond the small roles available to them. It's a "slice of life" story that hasn't been told before, and it's my desire to see it instigate deep conversations about family, career, and the struggles one faces in pursing his or her dreams while convention and societal expectations play their respective roles in influencing one's thoughts and behavior. In making this film, I imagined a film I wanted to see, so I made one.
Zayn Alexander speaks at the Shorts Filmmakers Seminar during the 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Lobero Theatre on February 7, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California.
“A wonderfully accomplished film.”
“Alexander’s directorial debut delivers true to life conflicts and concerns in such a grounded yet compelling way. ”
“The most prominent quality of Abroad is the fact that it succeeds in presenting a story that’s universal, accessible, and relatable to all, despite the powerful sociopolitical commentary.”
Shorts Filmmakers SeminarSBIFF 2018 FREE SEMINAR LIVE! Sponsored by Driscoll's at the Visit The Santa Ynez Valley Lounge Shorts Filmmakers
Posted by Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Wednesday, February 7, 2018
OFFICIAL SELECTION, SOHO International Film Festival 2018 (New York, NY)
ABROAD made its New York premiere at the 2018 SOHO International Film Festival. The film picked up a nomination for "Best Showcase Short Film".
INVITATION, The Made in NY Media Center by IFP (New York, NY)
ABROAD was invited by The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) to screen as part of IFP's "Made in NY Media Center" new short film screening series. IFP is the nation’s oldest and largest not-for-profit advocacy organization for independent filmmakers.
Zayn Alexander at the screening of his directorial debut “Abroad” at the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) in New York.
OFFICIAL SELECTION, 2018 St. George Bank Lebanese Film Festival (Sydney, Australia)
ABROAD made its Australian premiere at the 2018 St. George Bank Lebanese Film Festival August 16 - September 1 in Sydney, Australia.
OFFICIAL SELECTION, 2018 Lebanese Film Festival (Beirut, Lebanon)
ABROAD made its Lebanese premiere at the 2018 Lebanese Film Festival September 17 - September 21 at Beirut Souks CINEMACITY.
Check out my interview on Alam Al Sabah cc: FutureTV :: Group . . . #lff2018 #abroadshortfilm #MENApremiere
Posted by Zayn Alexander on Thursday, September 20, 2018
Check out my full interview with Al Araby TV | برنامج صباح النور | #lff2018 #abroadshortfilm #MENApremiere . . . . . Rita Bassil
Posted by Zayn Alexander on Saturday, September 15, 2018
Filmmaker Interview - MTV Alive |Cinema| cc: MTV Lebanon
Posted by Zayn Alexander on Sunday, October 14, 2018
OFFICIAL SELECTION, 2019 DC SHORTS & SWEETS (Washington, DC)
ABROAD screened at the 2019 DC SHORTS & SWEETS - a collection of four relationship-themed showcases, from hilarious to heart-crushing and every emotion in between.
OFFICIAL SELECTION, 2019 Beirut International Women Film Festival (Beirut, Lebanon)
ABROAD was selected to screen at the 2019 Beirut International Women Film Festival March 8 - 13.
BWFF & BICAF Promo 2019Here we go with an exceptional second edition of Beirut International Film Festival and the launching of Beirut International Children and Family Film Festival. 80 films from 35 countries . Rich Daily screenings program , special seminar and wonderful networking experience. Organized by: @Beirut Film Society In partnership with : @ministryofculture and @casinoduliban With the suppport of: @gclebanon @thesmallville_hotel #bwff19 #bicaf19 #women4change #filmfestival #beirut #Lebanon #beirutfilmsociety Video by: Ornella G. Maalouf Visuals and Design by: Najwa Mallah
Posted by Beirut International Women Film Festival on Thursday, February 28, 2019
SPECIAL SCREENING, The Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility, The New School (New York, NY)
Abroad was invited by The Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility to screen as part of its Film Series. The screening was followed by a discussion with the director.
Director Zayn Alexander presents his film “Abroad” at The New School in New York City. The screening was followed by a discussion moderated by postdoctoral research and mental health fellows from the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility. The film screened alongside the short film "Like Salt" by director Darine Hotait (shown above).
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