Moh - A short doc about a life drawing instructor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3VWJZinaZs&ab_channel=NimaG

Hello everyone!

My name is Nima Gholamipour and I am the director of Moh, a short documentary about a special person I have had the privilege of knowing and learning from.

His name is Mohammad Ghoreishi (We call him Moh), and he’s been teaching life drawing at Capilano University for nearly 30 years. I’ve known Moh for a while now. He was my figure drawing instructor when I was enrolled in the university’s 2D commercial animation program back in 2011. Since then, I have kept in touch with this fascinating artist, political activist, and educator and felt inspired to explore the nuanced layers of his experiences through documentary filmmaking.

This project began to take shape after the death of Jina “Mahsa” Amini. The young Iranian woman whose death back in Sept of 2022 at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran, sparked a year-long protest and an ongoing revolution. I began to notice Iranians currently displaced abroad begin to unite and take action. Raising their voices and telling their stories. It is said that displacement is a desubjectifying process often romanticized as exile. But this endeavor manifests into an unsettling journey of anger, guilt, shame, and hopelessness. Many who share this journey find solace in expressing, analyzing and documenting their experience as individuals and as a collective.

With this film, we hope to create a small window into understanding the nuances of our complex political makeup.

Filming is almost complete! I have been currently funding this out of my own pocket along with the help of a small wonderfully supportive crew but we need your help to finish telling Moh’s story.

With your support, we can take this documentary into post-production, film any final pickups and begin to edit, colour & sound.

OUR GOAL:

And please watch and share our video to help spread the word

Thank you!

SYNOPSIS

Beloved life drawing instructor and political activist Mohammad Ghoreishi has been teaching at Capilano University for almost 30 years. His life in and outside the classroom is now afflicted by the overwhelming weight of the recent events in his home country of Iran. Moh finds himself for the first time, recounting the story of his extraordinary past.

DIRECTOR

Nima Gholamipour is an Iranian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist, photographer, and filmmaker. Across these mediums, his aim is to explore and create work that is authentic, nuanced and allows for elements of improvisation. Nima’s aesthetic derives from his Middle Eastern/Western heritage. A unique combination of two contrasting art, craft and design worlds which have affected his gaze and deeply formed his visual language range. In the past few years, he has been able to contribute as a collaborator and director on works that have premiered at the Whistler International Film Festival, CBC, and Adult Swim Canada

PRODUCER

Daniel Code is a wellspring of unique, dramatic and comedic ideas for stories and visuals. Dan draws on his background in live comedy and social activism to write and create films. His most recent directed project "Colour Study" for CBC gem has been enjoyed by many worldwide and has been used as lessons in writing and visual design in university classes. His first short documentary "Nuts'a'mat Shqwaluwun" has been a venue for Cowichen producer and soccer coach Dano Thorne to promote his soccer club NIFA to Canadian soccer institutions. His large range of mini-documentaries "Art Minute" has created a conversation around art in Canada. His goals in directing are pursuing feature documentary and narrative films while developing his visual style through music videos, shorts and commercial productions.

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Justin Pelletier is a Vancouver-based filmmaker focused on capturing compelling stories with a contemporary, vibrant view. With a background in photography and design, Justin's style incorporates elements of high-level commercial cinematography combined with the authenticity and realness of a polished documentary vibe.

Born out of a lifelong passion for sports, fashion, and music there's a textural and cultural energy that exists within his work. Clients: New Balance, ON Running, Hypebeast, Tourism BC, and National Geographic. He is open to projects internationally.