AISHA MEDIA

Shu Uemura Campaign for Jospeh Cozza Salon

2011-11-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

CONTINUUM - TEASER

2011-06-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

∞Con.tin.u.um: a continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, although the extremes are quite distinct.

Allah's Frontier (2012) - TRAILER

2011-05-27T00:50:00.000-07:00

Watch Trailer of Amir Jaffer's documentary about Pakistan and Islam. Coming 2012.

Joseph Cozza Salon Wedding Services Promo

2011-04-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

We produced another Promo video for one of San Francisco's premier Salon, the Joseph Cozza Salon. It was filmed at an event organized by A Soolip Wedding.

Stills from LOVE BY CHANCE

2011-01-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

Copyright 2011 Aisha Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Aisha Media Presents LOVE BY CHANCE - Directed by Darren Denison. Written by Zulfiqar Talpur. Cinematography and Editing by Amir Jaffer. Starring Rashmi Rustagi and David Atwood.
Bollywood meets Hollywood in this Romantic Comedy.

RED's EPIC camera - Competing with CANON's SLR cameras?

2011-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

Join Jorg Fockele and Amir Jaffer for Class/Workshop at SFFS in March 2011

2010-12-29T04:59:00.000-08:00

All Documentary filmmakers in S.F. Bay Area, remember to join Jorg Fockele and Amir Jaffer at San Francisco Film Society (SFFS) for a class/workshop on Shooting and Conducting Documentary Interviews in March. Please mark your calendars. More info. here: http://www.sffs.org/content.aspx?catid=11&pageid=2020

Aisha Media Timeline

2010-12-19T03:53:00.000-08:00

Check out our history and join us on Dipity

AISHA MEDIA on Dipity.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-24T00:11:00.000-08:00

We wish all our fans and supporters a Happy Thanksgiving!

ALLAH'S FRONTIER - TRAILER 1

2010-11-08T19:36:00.000-08:00

Unlike other docs on Pakistan, Allah's Frontier focuses on ordinary Pakistani's living in a country divided between extremists and moderates, and between democracy and dictatorship. This documentary is in production and will have a World Premiere in 2012.

FACE TO FACE RETURNS with FLAMENCO DANCER DANICA SENA

2010-09-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

This episode features internationally acclaimed Flamenco, Classical and Folkloric dancer/choreographer, Danica Sena.

VIBE - EPISODE 1

2010-09-04T02:39:00.000-07:00

Most recently Aisha Media launched another on-line show called VIBE, which features S.F./Bay-Area Arts and Culture. Watch Episode 1 with Actor Gerrad Bohl and Writer Robert Correa.

BREAKING NEWS 08/20/2010

2010-08-20T03:35:00.000-07:00

Aisha Media will produce a series of short films, which will hit the festival circuit in Spring and Summer of 2011. In addition, a special S.F. screening will take place in Spring 2011. Actress Rashmi Rustagi, Writer and Actor Gerrad Bohl, Spanish/Flamenco Dancer and Choreographer Danica Sena are confirmed to be in these short films. More information on this project will be available in November 2010.

JOSEPH COZZA SALON WEBCAST 1

2010-08-04T01:46:00.001-07:00

Recently, we finished our first Commercial and Webcast project for the Joseph Cozza Salon, which was Directed by David Lassman. Watch webcast # 1:

UNDER ONE SUN - FIRST OBSERVATION by GERRAD BOHL

2010-04-25T02:13:00.000-07:00

This is a trailer to a very touching, true to life film called Under One Sun. Produced by Aisha Media, an indie film label, the creative mind behind the project is someone who I admire very much, my very talented friend, Amir Jaffer. I laughed out loud several times from the witty dialogue and wonderful timing, and I teared up at some tough moments. This film follows four main stories of people who’s lives are being affected by cultural or religious pressures and oppressions. Through these people we see struggles of an African American transsexual overcoming prejudice, a Pakistani girl finding opposition from her family for loving a Jewish man, a Latino boy who is questioning his sexuality when he discovers his girlfriend is pregnant, and woman falling for a younger man and her insecurity around it.

The actors are wonderful and were all very eager to be apart of this project because of its power of relativity. Just as every viewer is likely to be able to relate to someone or aspect of this movie, every one of these performers drew from their own experiences or stories they had been apart of for inspiration. The entire cast brought something personal and special and they all deserve special recognition. I was especially proud of my dear friend Kevin-Lee Junious (aka) BeBe Sweetbriar who plays the African American transsexual. I was very touched by his performance, and was even more so when he told me that he brought a lot of his mother into the character. It was true and very real.

Aisha Media is a indie film label and as such relies on the generosity of viewers, investors, and producers. Under One Sun is now making its rounds of submissions to film festivals around the globe and that costs a significant amount of money. If you would like to know more about Aisha Media, it’s producers, and Under One Sun you can visit their main site www.aishamedia.com.

THE CAST AND CREW OF NO STRINGS ATTACHED - A WEB SERIES

2009-12-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

Since I started making independent movies, I chose issue oriented projects ranging from domestic violence to marriage equality to gender identity. And all of those projects were feature length with the exception of ONE DAY IN MAY, which was my first short documentary. Last January, I thought of doing something light-hearted, which focused on relationships. But I wanted to talk about unconventional relationships. Unlike the stereotypical portrayal of straight and gay individuals and relationships by the mainstream media, I wanted to show the other side that audiences rarely get to see.

Growing up I loved John Hughes' PRETTY IN PINK and FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF and I also wanted to pay an homage to the eighties romantic comedies. Unfortunately, the week after I wrote the first episode, John Hughes suddenly passed away. So this is my tribute to him for making wonderful films that inspired my generation.

I was fortunate and blessed to have a wonderful cast and crew led by a fabulous Director, David Lassman. I first met David when I was working on my first documentary, DRAG: NOT JUST MEN IN HEELS in 2006. Later I worked with him on his first feature, THE RISE AND FALL OF JEREMY STARR. David's hard work and attention to details really comes through, and will be obvious with successive episodes when all the stories become intricate and complex.

We intend to gradually build an audience and are taking it slow instead of aggressively pushing this series. And we hope that those who like it will spread the word. You can watch all the episodes and related videos at www.nostringstheseries.com

Here's a look at our wonderful and talented cast and crew and what they bring to this web series:

CAST:

GERRAD BOHL (Andy)

Gerrad is a dedicated entertainer of full spectrum. He is committed to a life time of passionate work as an actor in theatre and film, as well as in modeling, dancing, singing, writing, directing, and producing. NO STRINGS ATTACHED is Gerrad’s first lead role in a film/series project. He considers himself to be in the midst of learning the ropes of film acting, but is loving every second of it and looks forward to continuing to grow as an actor with many more projects to come. Gerrad is from Montana and currently resides in San Francisco.

AMY LOU CLUFF (Claire)

Amy Lou got her start by writing and performing songs in grammar school, leading to a promising stage career as a teenager, when she appeared in You Can’t Take It With You and in Macbeth as Lady Macbeth, among other plays. Her classic theatrical studies continued with the Sacramento Theater Company Ensemble as well as the Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. After a decade of theatrical performances, Amy Lou focused her sights on film and video, earning her BA in Film and Digital Media. Her film credits as an actor include many student films, music videos and independent productions.

CHRISTOPHER SUGARMAN (Justin)

Christopher is a trained stage actor, and the co-founder of an award winning theatre company based in Santa Cruz, California. He has appeared in several music videos, television series and over 70 stage productions. Christopher's film credits include TWEAKER WITH AN AXE, THE RISE & FALL OF JEREMY STARR, AND THEN CAME LOLA, IMP OF SATAN, HELP WANTED, ALONE FOREVER, BLACKOUT, THE OPERATORS, BEDFELLOWS, MY NAME IS KHAN, FUNNY PEOPLE and MILK.

ISAAC BENJAMIN (Ethan)

Isaac has been acting in the Bay Area for the past ten years. After taking a long break, he resurfaced by accepting to play a lead role in No Strings Attached. He love's playing different characters and love's acting on stage and in films. Isaac's theater credits include Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Your A Good Man Charlie Brown, West Side Story and Godspell. He played a lead role in BETWEEN PLACES as an Egyptian Immigrant trying to stay in the U.S. after 9/11. Other films to his credits are THE OUTER SUNSET and THE WRITE STUFF.
He also starred in a music video titled Tonight Tonight by Xavier Toscano, which was in the top ten on LOGO Channel's countdown.

JAMES MAHER (Jonathan)

James has been a stage and film actor for many years. Although he currently works mainly with the very talented indie film makers of Northern California, he has played leading roles in such notable plays as Middle Aged White Guys and Man of La Mancha to mention but a few. James has appeared in the following films: THE UNWILLING, HARRISON MONTGOMERY, WRONG TURN, WHISKEY SLIDE, EVE, VALLEY OF THE HEARTS DESIRE, SCREWBALLS, PHOENIX RISING, THE GUARDIAN’S GATEWAY, MR. MILITANT and UNDER ONE SUN.

JESUS FUENTES (Adrian)

Jesús was most recently featured in the Prizefight Films' short, THE PRISONER, directed by Ria Fay-Berquist. He was also featured in Brant Smith's indie sci-fi feature, IN-WORLD WAR as Bartollio. Jesús has also worked on student films at the Academy of Art Institute, The Berkeley Digital Film Institute, and The Art Institute of San Francisco. Onstage, Jesús has worked with numerous theater companies that include Dragon Productions Theatre Company (as Patrick Chibas in "Spinning Into Butter"), Stanford University's Department of Theatre (as Leo in "Grease," and as Thing 1 in "The Sweetest Hangover"), and staged readings with the SF Playwrights' Center. Currently, Jesús is an Actor and Educator with The New Conservatory Theatre's YouthAware Educational Theatre Program in San Francisco.

JENNIFER WINTER (Brenda)

Jennifer's an artist dedicated to the creative process, who desires working with stage and film professionals that share her love of the medium and the power it holds to affect the lives of its viewers.

Her performing experience began at an early age doing Children's Theater with the Portland, Oregon based Playbox Players. She studied theater and dance at Jefferson High School for Performing Arts, and perfomed with the regionally acclaimed Jefferson Dancers. She went on to dance with Portland and San Francisco based dance companies and choreographers for the next 20 years. In 2001, Jennifer participated in a production of The Vagina Monologues, for which she received accolades and a subsequent Tennie Award from local arts reviewer Kevin Nance of the Tennessean (for Best Supporting Actress). Her most recent theatre project was "Same Time, Next Year", which was performed at the Playhouse Theatre near Union Square in San Francisco.

Jennifer's done film projects as an actor and a dancer for various independent film houses including Cinema West, Arora Production Studios, Flashlight Productions, and Nashville's Watkins Film School. A few years ago, She played the lead in an independent feature titled RATSTAR, written and directed by Christian Bergmans. Think Sigourney Weaver on a low budget. Think Aliens meets Rats for a styrofoam love story. She recently worked on Amir Jaffer's UNDER ONE SUN and David Lassman's THE RISE AND FALL OF JEREMY STARR.

LYDIA BELL (Dr. Irene)

A graduate of Princeton University, Lydia is a print/broadcast journalist and media consultant whose background includes work in the television production, marketing and advertising industries. She has also worked in the entertainment industry as an occasional model/actress. Recent film credits include BACK TO LIFE.

NANCY SALE (Andy’s Mom)

Nancy Sale, a UC Berkeley theatre graduate, recently retired from a long career teaching theatre in the public schools. Her retirement has brought a new interest in film acting - she has enjoyed roles in many indie films and in commercials.

CARISSA WEIR (June Christina)

Carissa was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica, and lived there until the age of nine, when she moved to London, England. Onscreen, Carissa has appeared in the films BETWEEN PLACES, DEPARTURE, RICE CRACKER and THINGS DONE CHANGED. In 2005, she founded Cacao films and is currently wrapping up post-production on TWO WEEKS FROM MONDAY, the company’s debut feature.

CAROL CLEVER (Ms. Dietrich)

Carol Clever is a performer, singer, artist, and costume designer. She appeared in several films and projects in the past year, including UNDER ONE SUN by Aisha Media, SISYPHUS by Joel Pincosy and FENCELINE by Brian Rasmussen, winner for best independent film at the Tiburon Film Festival 2009. Carol has also performed onstage as Cleante in Moliere's Tartuffe and Sen. Montague in W. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet for Deep Impact Theatre. She studied private classical vocal and speech training, and piano in Europe and performs as a Soloist and with the Summit Singers.

CHRIS RESCINITI (Tyler)

Chris has coordinated stunts on several films, including THE KING’S HAND. He is a black belt instructor of Tae Kwan Doe, has coached boxing and is a nationally certified personal trainer. Chris has studied multiple martial arts including Mui Thai Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Kang Nei Shin Kung Fu and Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu. As an actor he has appeared in the films TWEAKER WITH AN AXE, AND THEN CAME LOLA, THE OPERATORS and THE RISE AND FALL OF JEREMY STARR.

CREW

DAVID LASSMAN (Director and Executive Producer)

For the past 15 years, David has been associated with San Francisco's Public Access Television, where he has also taken courses on producing, directing and editing for television. In addition, David has acquired additional training through BAVC under the instruction of Dov S. Simens. David’s film career behind the camera includes co-directing UNDER ONE SUN for Aisha Media and writing, producing and directing THE RISE AND FALL OF JEREMY STARR for his own film company, Gloria Ruth Productions. As a performer, under the guise of his drag persona Chablis, David appeared in a number of episodes of Nash Bridges, several music videos, the documentary DRAG: NOT JUST MEN IN HEELS and hosted a succesfull monthly talk show CITY BEAT WITH CHABLIS.

AMIR JAFFER (Writer, Cinematographer & Editor)

Amir began exploring the world of filmmaking with his father's video camera at the age of thirteen. In 2004, he realized his childhood dream by co-founding Aisha Media to tell intriguing and captivating stories through moving pictures. With a Bachelors Degree in International Relations and a passion for filmmaking, Amir believes in making movies that are meaningful and that make people think.
He has produced narrative features and documentaries that have screened at local and international film festivals. In addition, some of the music videos he produced, were broadcasted on LOGO Channel - an affiliate of MTV.

DOUG ROBERTSON (Sound Engineer and Producer)

PAM SAUER (Director's Asst. and Script Supervisor)

KEVIN KRANZKY (Production Assistant)

SCOTT SANDEFUR (Production Assistant)

Scott is a recent graduate of the University of Miami with dual degrees in Video/Film and History. He has worked with such companies as Rakontur Productions (Cocaine Cowboys), ESPN 360, 8bit-SF and has worked with for DJ CB Shaw. Scott was also the director of the live webcast of the 2009 ACC Track and Field Championship.

5 Years of Aisha Media

2009-07-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

It was in July 2004 that we started with the concept of "making movies that matter." Here's a look back at all the movies:

ONE DAY IN MAY - A SHORT ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY

2009-06-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

One Day in May - A Short Film
Uploaded by Aisha_Media. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

2009-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

2008 began on a hopeful note, but it was a challenging year on many fronts. Despite of the difficulties, we managed to premiere our second narrative feature, Eve and complete production on our third narrative, Under One Sun. In addition, I had the opportunity to work on Gloria Ruth Productions' first project, The Rise and Fall of Jeremy Starr, which was written and directed by David Lassman.

It was also in 2008 that we took the first step in producing our very first on-line series. Face to Face is an on-line interview show with Bay Area artists, actors, singers and personalities. You can watch the entire Season One at www.youtube.com/aishamedia.

Towards the end of last year, I was introduced to Lomography and I immediately wanted to use some of the techniques in my cinematography. Therefore, in 2009, I will actively incorporate rules of Lomography in all of my projects. Some cinematographers may balk at this idea, but as a story-teller using visuals, artistic techniques can heighten the experience of the viewer, and help convey the emotions more effectively. Of course, it need not be too much to become distracting. But it is time to break away from the old school, for me.

UPCOMING BAY-AREA PREMIERES (DETAILS TO BE POSTED SEPARATELY):

APRIL 2009
UNDER ONE SUN
www.myspace.com/under1sun
Under One Sun weaves together several stories of people whose lives become adversely affected by religion and culture. The stories involve an African American transsexual overcoming society's prejudice, a Pakistani girl facing opposition from her family for loving a jewish man, a Latino boy coming to terms with his sexuality after finding his girlfriend is pregnant, and a woman falling in love with a younger man and facing her insecurities.

MAY 2009
THE RISE AND FALL OF JEREMY STARR - A DAVID LASSMAN FILM
www.myspace.com/jeremy_starr_the_movie
In a quest for self discovery, a young man (Jarrad Webster) takes on a new identity and enters a world he's only watched from afar.Through a series of bad decisions that test his limits and questions his judgements, he realizes he doesn't have to become someone else, to find out who he really is inside.

2009 and 2010 PRODUCTIONS:

NO STRINGS ATTACHED (2010)
Whenever I have an idea, I write it down on a piece of paper or on a sticky note. I keep collecting those ideas in a box, which I refer to as pieces of puzzles. And when I need to select a project to begin work on, I go through some of those pieces of puzzles and put one together. After Under One Sun, I wanted to do something light, something about love and life, and something that is specifically about the queer community. Therefore, I chose No Strings Attached.

This is my first romantic comedy and I am extremely excited about some of the actors who have agreed to be a part of this new journey of mine. It is my tribute to the 80's romantic comedies like Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles and Some kind of Wonderful. Tentatively, No Strings Attached will go in to production during Summer 2009. And like all my movies, No Strings Attached is set in scenic and beautiful city of San Francisco. Keep an eye out for the trailers later during 2009.

PILLOW TALK (2010)
Just when you thought you have heard and seen everything there is about sex, we will take you on a ride you definitely won't like to miss. That's all I am going to reveal at the moment.There will be some familiar faces, who you have seen in previous Aisha Media productions and a few new ones.

What's interesting about this project is that this will be both a feature length film and Aisha Media's second on-line series, after Face to Face - on-line interview show (www.youtube.com/aishamedia).

YAHWEH TO ALLAH (2011)
This documentary had been on hold since late 2007, but production will resume this year and tentatively it will be completed by 2011.

2008 THANK-YOUS:

Individuals who helped me through 2008's crazy times and who went out of their way for me, and who I want to publicly acknowledge are the following:

Wolfgang Boeck, Joyce Lee Kinney, David Lassman, Kevin-Lee Junious, BeBe Sweetbriar, Sam Malak of Guerrero Deli Market, Marlena of Marlena's bar, Philip Rossetti, Sandy at the Delancey Screening Room, Carlos Martinez and his partner, Alexis Miranda, Ketan Bhatia, Xavier Toscano, Leo Frappier (LFB), Kavita and Suneell Wadhwani, Jennifer Winter, Jennifer Jajeh, James Maher, Suzan Revah and Sara Herrera and her family.

I wish all of you a successful and prosperous 2009.
Amir Jaffer

FACE TO FACE

2008-08-25T14:04:00.000-07:00

Aisha Media is proud to present an on-line interview show, Face To Face, which can be viewed on all Aisha Media channels i.e. YouTube, MySpace, Vimeo, and Daily Motion.

Watch Episode 1 about a controversial show opening at the New York International Fringe Festival on August 08, 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfLK6-JgmU

In Episode 2 Trannyshack creator Heklina talks about why she is closing her infamous weekly club after twelve years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQKGrETXlEE
Stay tuned for more episodes of Face to Face by checking our on-line channels, periodically.

Thanks
Amir Jaffer
www.aishamedia.com
www.youtube.com/aishamedia
www.myspace.com/aisha_media

2008-06-11T00:23:00.000-07:00

As we near the finish line and have a few days of shooting remaining for Under One Sun, I am being asked "what's next?" and what projects will I be working on in the near future? My first answer is that I need a long vacation and I need to stop being "a prolific filmmaker" as one friend likes to call me. But as a creative person, it's hard for me to not be creative and just stop.

During the last five years, I've made four low budget movies, including Under One Sun (in production). And it's time for me to put things in perspective and determine the next phase of my creative life. Five years ago, there was no YouTube, MySpace and several other viral video sites, which continue to pop up on the web year after year. Had it not been for all these sites, I wouldn't be where I am today. I owe it to them for giving me the opportunity to share my work with the world without having to spend thousands of dollars on publicity, and without having a distributor.

In esssence, I am a filmmaker who belongs to this new age of filmmaking / videomaking. Despite of knowing this, most of us "new-age filmmakers" have a hard time grasping the "new reality" and we go back and forth with the hope of getting acceptance from the "old guards" who still do it the old fashioned way. In the traditional method, filmmakers "need" to have their movies screened at high profile film festivals for maximum exposure. And pray that they get a lucrative distribution deal. But in this "new system" and in the world of viral videos with MySpace, YouTube and Face-book, one gets equal opportunity to show-case one's talent, without following the traditional method. Whether one succeeds or fails in ones creative endeavors is decided in a truly democratic fashion. The fans and viewers' ratings and comments tells a filmmakers where he/she stands as a creative person.

Given this "new order" that has come about and which has given a platform to low budget filmmakers, I have decided to produce sitcoms, movies, music videos, and shows specifically for the web and for a worldwide audience, through an on-line channel. After looking at all the pros and cons and after checking out the video and sound quality of several viral video sites, I have come across a couple that I am extremely pleased with and these sites don't require consumers to download their software.

So "what's next?" for me and what am I cooking in my kitchen? All I can tell you is that the working title of my first on-line sitcom is "In Bed With America." What's it going to be about? Ummmm, you got to wait and see. In the meanwhile, keep an eye out for Under One Sun, which will premiere in San Francisco / Bay-area in Spring/Summer 2009. If you would like to see a couple of my completed works, you can either purchase a dvd or download my first movie, Between Places or my first documentary, Drag: Not Just Men in Heels on Amazon (type names in search).

Have a great summer. And don't forget the sun block!

EVE S.F./BAY-AREA PREMIERE TODAY AT THE DELANCEY SCREENING ROOM

2008-05-30T01:00:00.001-07:00

A Piece of San Francisco History

2008-02-10T23:01:00.000-08:00

Two years ago when I began making Drag: Not Just Men in Heels, I was trying to learn about the drag scene of San Francisco and overcoming my prejudice against drag queens. Now that the dvd is available for sale, I realized that this is not just another movie and it's not just another documentary, but it is a piece of San Francisco history. And it may not mean much right now to a lot of people, but within the next five to ten years, this movie will become invaluable. The cast of the movie includes some legends and some legends in the making. It shows different facets of the drag community in San Francisco. And it does away with several misconceptions people have about one of the most fascinating sub-cultures of the LGBT community.

A two disc dvd set is available for sale at www.dragmovie.com and at www.amazon.com (type in drag: not just men in heels in search. And in March 2008 it will be available as a "download to own " through Amazon. So you can download and watch it on your computer or upload it to your ipod or another video device. Disc two contains additional footage that is not part of the original movie. It also includes a deleted chapter and music video.

As I close the chapter on this adventure and embark on a new journey with another movie, I want to thank San Francisco's drag legend in the making, Ms. BeBe Sweetbriar for all her help and support. She has been the official spokesperson and promoter of Drag: Not Just Men in Heels. And I look forward to working with her on Under One Sun. You will soon find out what it is all about in another blog.

Amir Jaffer
Feb.10, 2008
www.myspace.com/under1sun

Ringing In The New Year

2007-12-31T21:26:00.000-08:00

As 2007 comes to a close, I want to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. I also want to take this opportunity to thank a few people who went out of their way for me. I want to thank the following from the bottom of my heart and with all sincerity for all their help in 2007:

Wolfgang Boeck, Paz de la Calzada, BeBe Sweetbriar, Teddy Witherington, Dirk Burns at Frantix, Tim Gullicksen, Mikal Shively, Philip Rossetti and Claire Dee-Lim.

Please take a few minutes to read this Newsletter, which provides information about the following :

*BETWEEN PLACES - RE-EDITED AND RE-PACKAGED
*DRAG: NOT JUST MEN IN HEELS
*EVE PREMIERE
*INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE STEIGER
*HELP NEEDED FOR UNDER ONE SUN (2009)
*XAVIER TOSCANO MUSIC VIDEO

*BETWEEN PLACES - RE-EDITED AND RE-PACKAGED

Between Places, my very first movie, has been re-edited and is being re-packaged for sale in 2008. Between Places will also be available for "download to own" through Amazon. So if you don't want to wait for it be shipped to you, simply download it and watch it on your computer and or upload it to any video device. You can also join friends' of Between Places on www.myspace.com/between_places_movie. For more information, visit www.betweenplacesmovie.com.

*DRAG: NOT JUST MEN IN HEELS

My first documentary about San Francisco's Drag Culture, Drag: Not Just Men in Heels will be available for sale in Feb.2008. It recently screened at MIX Brasil Film Festival in Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro.
We will have a DVD release party on Feb.10 at BeBe Sweetbriar's Launch Party at the Jet (formerly known as Detour). For up to date information about Drag: Not Just Men in Heels please visit www.dragmovie.com or www.myspace.com/dragmovie.

*EVE PREMIERE

Eve, a feature on domestic violence, will have a world premiere in San Francisco at the Delancey Foundation in Spring 2008. Eve raises further awareness about domestic abuse and it's premiere will provide a fund raising opportunity to a local non-profit. So, I would strongly urge everyone to come out to support them and us at Eve's premiere (date TBA).
Join friends of Eve at www.myspace.com/evemovie

*INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE STEIGER

Recently I had the opportunity to talk about my movies on a local T.V. channel. Bonnie Steiger invited me to her show, and you can find out more about her at : http://www.bonniesteiger.com/moviecloseup.html

If you have time and want to amuse yourself, take a look at a few excerpts from the interview :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPNZeNSGA2s

Now remember, this is my first interview and I was extremely nervous, so be nice. LOL.

*HELP NEEDED FOR UNDER ONE SUN (2009)

In 2009, I am looking forward to shooting my third narrative feature and my fourth movie in four years. It is called Under One Sun and it will be released in 2009 (www.myspace.com/under1sun). Under One Sun introduces San Francisco's one of a kind, drag legend in the making, BeBe Sweetbriar to the big screen.

The story line of Under One Sun is based on the premise that peoples' innate goodness gets tainted by religion, culture, and sexuality. The movie will include some well known names from the drag and film communities in San Francisco.

We need your help and support to get this project off the ground. And knowing my track record, you can be certain that this movie will actually get made. We will begin a fund raising drive in Feb. 2008, and we would request that if you can or if you know of someone who would be interested, please help out. Besides providing entertainment, Aisha Media produces movies that raises awareness about social and political issues. Therefore, you will be contributing not just to an indie movie, but also a cause and a purpose.

*XAVIER TOSCANO MUSIC VIDEO

I had the opportunity to work with Xavier Toscano, who is a very talented singer, dancer, and actor. This was my first major music video production, but you can expect to see more music videos from Aisha Media in 2008. Watch Xavier's music video as well as listen to his music at www.myspace.com/xaviertoscano.

Once again, I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

Best Wishes,
Amir Jaffer
www.myspace.com/amirjaffer

Goodbye 2007, Goodbye Patricio !

2007-12-20T03:29:00.000-08:00

As the year 2007 comes to a close and as we prepare to celebrate the dawn of a new year, I am saying goodbye to someone who I knew only for a while. But that someone had an enormous impact on me during the brief period that I knew him. Patrick "Patricio" Duran suddenly came in to my life as a mentor, a believer in me and what I do, and someone who introduced me to the works of legendary filmmakers such as Sergei Eisenstein, Akira Kurosawa, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Aleksandr Sokurov. I don't think I will be boasting in making the claim of being one of the very few people in San Francisco/Bay Area who own an entire collection of Akira Kurosawa films. I am grateful to this mentor for giving me a direction as a filmmaker, to make substantial movies, regardless of the budget and the means available.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Patrick "Patricio" Duran suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which left a permanent scar on his life. He was a truly generous man who went out of his way for others and expected no favors or anything in return. If he believed in someone, he would make it his cause to encourage and help that individual to be his or her best. I was one of the many such people, at his funeral, whose lives he had positively affected. It came as a shock to learn of his sudden demise at the beginning of this year, but before the year 2007 comes to a close, I wanted to say thank you to Patricio and promise that I won't let him down.

After making two low budget indie narrative features and one documentary, I promise to embark on a new journey, pushing and challenging myself to follow in the footsteps of the legendary filmmakers Patricio had envisioned. Starting 2008 till the day I die, I have some very BIG shoes to fill.
Goodbye 2007 and Goodbye Patricio !
Amir Jaffer

The Story of Between Places

2007-08-17T02:57:00.000-07:00

Since homosexuality is socially unacceptable in the Islamic world, several queer people live dual lives to be able to survive in a culture that ridicules and frowns upon gays and lesbians.

On the other hand, denial of ones sexual identity and willingness to lead double lives leads to several vices in a culture that thrives on machismo. I feel it is imperative that the queer communities in the Islamic world acknowledge and accept their sexual orientation before hoping to change the perception of others. I understand it is no easy task, as queers are being hanged in Iran, and being persecuted in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Malaysia. I made this movie with the hope to create awareness about the subject. Moreover, I want my audience, particularly the queer audience, to start taking responsibility for their actions and not be afraid due to social, cultural and religious constraints.

Furthermore, September 11 terrorist attacks made it very difficult for many immigrants, especially immigrants from Middle-eastern countries, to stay in the United States. Several immigrants stay in the U.S. even after their visas expire with the hope for a better life, and some of these immigrants happen to be closet homosexuals. After hearing stories of queer Middle-eastern men marrying women in the U.S. so that they don't get deported, the basic idea of Between Places was born.

It is my first movie and there are some technical flaws. It is a low budget movie with a captivating story that is shot on locations in the beautiful city of San Francisco, which I call my home now. So forgive me for any shortcoming as this is my first narrative feature. You can watch the trailer of Between Places at : www.betweenplacesmovie.com or visit www.myspace.com/between_places_movie to watch sneak peeks.

Why A Documentary On Drag ?

2007-08-17T02:52:00.000-07:00

While I was shooting Drag and later when I began editing, a lot of people asked me what is it that I want to say with this documentary ? And why did I make a movie on drag when there are so many drag movies out there ? The answer is…..as long as stereotypes exist about something, there is room for more to be said and done. Another movie about drag would further do away with misconceptions about drag and what it is all about.

After living in San Francisco for six years and after learning about the different sub cultures within the LGBT community, I found Drag Queens and Drag Kings fascinating yet scary. At the heart of it was my prejudice against Drag Queens. I guess it was typical, as many gay men find it to be a turn-off if another man puts on make-up and emulates a woman. The logic being that as a gay man one is attracted to another man instead of a member of the opposite sex. Even though these men frequently visit drag bars and drag shows, they wouldn't like to be friends with or be in a relationship with someone who does drag.

In addition to being one of those men, I had to overcome my fears and apprehensions about men emulating women, which I developed early on as a child. As far as I remember I was four or five years old when I used to put my mothers make-up, only to be caught and scolded. It was similar to the opening scene of the movie, Torch Song Trilogy when a young Harvey Fierstein is caught putting on his mother's make-up. I understood it be a very bad thing when boys played with their mommy's lipsticks. I thought it to be a mental illness of some kind when men become interested in wearing women's clothing and make-up.

Fast forward to the fall of 2005 in San Francisco, my partner and one of our friends decided to do drag for Halloween. The fact that my partner shaved off his goatee just for this one night, to dress up like a girl, got me thinking. Later my sister visited me, for the first time since I moved here, in January 2006 and I came out to her. The fact that she wasn't visibly taken aback was very comforting and this encouraged me to introduce her to my new world and to all my new friends and acquaintances.

One evening she showed interest in watching a drag show and possibly record it on her new video camera. Since Trannyshack is the only drag show in San Francisco on a weekday (that I knew of),we hopped in the car and went over to The Stud. This was the first time my sister, from Pakistan, was in a queer club surrounded by transsexuals, lesbians, gay men of all ages belonging to different scenes and female impersonators.

Soon after we walked in, Heklina (Hostess and Founder of Trannyshack) opened the show with one of her jaw dropping and hilarious performances. My sister immediately began recording it on her brand new video camera. On our way back from the show, my sister remarked, " I saw a drag show in Bangkok and drag queens were all so pretty and looked like real girls." I knew she was comparing the female impersonators of Thailand with that of Trannyshack where drag queens don't necessarily try to pass as a woman, and where it is primarily about performance art. This got me thinking more about the drag queens and why they do what they do ? And why some look really pretty and look like real women, whereas, others are not afraid to be known that they are actually men in heels ?

It was then that the idea of a documentary about San Francisco's drag culture was born. I made a list of drag queens to contact and began calling and e-mailing them. Marlena (Owner of the Marlena's Bar) and Heklina (Founder of Trannyshack) were the first two I made contact with and both of them graciously agreed to be interviewed and be in the documentary. The rest, as they say, is history. What transpired in the last one year (in 2006) was a documentary, which takes an upclose and personal look at San Francisco's drag scene.

After making this documentary and being closely involved with some of San Francisco's legends and with some icons in the making, I have developed utmost respect and admiration for men and women who are not afraid to push the envelope with gender illusion. And for whom drag means different things as opposed to the stereotypical notion most people have about drag. I hope after watching this documentary people from all walks of life, people from different cultural backgrounds, and people of different sexual orientations would feel the same way as I do now.

Amir Jaffer
Director, Cinematographer and Editor
Drag – Not Just Men in Heels
www.dragmovie.com
www.myspace.com/dragmovie