THE FILM: THEORY OF CONFLICT
Theory of Conflict is the first (and currently the only) narrative feature film in the world that focuses on the raging conflicts between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students on college campuses across the United States, Canada, South Africa and in Europe. The film is loosely based on true stories of students from Israel, Palestine, Nigeria, South Sudan, the United States and other countries around the world. It uses the multicultural environment of college campuses to tell an interesting story that would inform and empower students and non-students to join hands with all the great Israelis and Palestinians who have been working toward a peaceful coexistence.
The story principally follows and weaves together the dynamics of the relationships between Mohammed Deng and Edward Dudley on one hand, and Israeli-international student Yafit Haddad and Palestinian-international student Hayat Hamdan on the other hand. As the stories of these students unfold amid the rising tension on campus, we come to know them beyond the superficial characters often painted in the media. We feel their aspirations, fears, and the burden of their situations. The film exposes us to the struggles facing Israelis and Palestinians on college campuses and in the Middle East.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
There are a lot of reasons to support this project, reasons for which hundreds of people have participated so far on it. By supporting this project, you will be joining us, along with many others joining us for the first time or making additional contributions.
- You will be taking action to make a change in the world, especially today when your action is most needed.
- You will be standing up against Ignorance, which is the mother of hate and strife.
- You will be supporting a message of enlightenment, peace, healing and love.
- You will be advocating for an enlightened leadership, within our various groups, nations and in the world.
- You will be changing the narratives of divisions, spread by others out of naivety or greed, into narratives of unity and indivisibility of our collective humanity.
- You will be sewing the seeds of a strong and healthy today for a stronger and healthier tomorrow.
Ultimately, from scores of crew members and actors to hundreds of extras and people who have donated money, services and materials: We all believe this is a story worthy of being told and WE WANT TO TELL IT.
USE OF FUNDS
At different times we have gratefully received funds from individuals and grants from organizations, spent on the pre-production and production of the film. However, we fell short often, and I have directly funded the film, amounting to more than 40 percent of the project so far.
To complete the rest of the film, funds raised would go towards the remaining post-production works, including color-correction, sound design, music, graphics, et cetera. We hope to also be able to pay for some of the cast and post-production crew who have trusted with their services, believing that we would pay fees, which have already been graciously discounted. Finally, we hope to whatever remaining funds towards the cost of festival submissions and screenings.
THE TEAM:
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Rahman Oladigbolu
I’m a Nigerian-born filmmaker currently based in Boston, Massachusetts. A Nigerian proverb says, “if you can’t make a situation better, don’t make it worse.” I take on projects that give me the opportunity to learn, appreciably enough, the depth and breath of an issue or situation in order to be able to make a project that makes positive impacts on the issues or situations that are the focus of the film. This makes me very passionate about every film I choose to make.
My first feature film, called “Soul Sisters”, focuses on issues of immigration and the intra-racial tension between African immigrants and African Americans in America. “Theory of Conflict” is my second feature film, and I have been passionately working on it for more than three years. My ultimate interest lies in the concept of identity, in how we interpret and/or misinterpret our identities, and in how these interpretations lead to negative and positive consequences respectively. And my process is to learn and share “our” stories and the stories of those we see as “others”. I believe that, in this, we find the understanding necessary to see us all as one, to love, respect, and listen to one another.
Producer: Jean-Paul Ouellette
Jean-Paul Ouellette is a veteran filmmaker who apprenticed with filmmakers Russ Meyer and Orson Welles, and was mentored by television directing legend Don Richardson. Mr. Ouellette directed the second-unit action sequences for the Hemdale/Orion film “Terminator,” directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jean-Paul wrote and directed the cult horror films “H.P. Lovecraft’s The Unnamable” and its sequel.
Producer: Carlyne Fournier
Born and raised on the outskirts of Montreal, Carlyne has had a passion for film since she was eight years old – already attending double feature presentations at local cinemas by herself.
As a producer, Carlyne’s true passion lies with films that shed light on a variety of social Issues. She wishes to combine her creative craft with powerful media, to bring about global awareness on issues close to her heart and help provoke social change and. This is what attracted Carlyne to Theory of Conflict.
Producer: Deborah Rosencrans
Deborah has had a long and successful career as a career-counselor at MIT and WIT until one day when she decided to take her own advice that she had given to so many others and explore the art of acting. She has performed in twelve principal and supporting roles. She is a co-writer and actor of a sketch comedy webisode currently in development, and she is also an image/style/wardrobe and career consultant. Deborah often says: “It is exciting to be on set and see how the director, crew, and actors work together to see a story come alive, a story that might have some impact on our vision of the past, present, and/or future. ”
Director of Photography: Darren Alexander Cole
Born in Kansas City Missouri, Darren began his filmmaking career as an editor in 1999. He then proceeded to learn all aspects of production from sound to lighting and the camera. After gaining appreciable experience and confidence, Darren hit the road, shooting movies across the United States and across many countries around the world. In this period, he has filmed several music videos, fashion videos, documentaries, narrative films and art films. Darren is a very tasteful cinematographer who has a keen eye for colors, lights and exciting shot compositions. He has embraced the Theory of Conflict movie project as a challenge to take indie filmmaking to a higher level.
OTHERS ON THE TEAM:
Though we can’t name the entire team here, there are many others who have worked on this project, scores of people who have joined us because they love the story and believe in its messages, and without whom we will be nowhere today. We love and appreciate every one of them.
