Jungle - Short film
Donation protected
What:
Jungle, a short film is an intimate drama set against the backdrop of the refugee crisis in Europe.
Project Logline :
When Long-Haul Truck driver Chris discovers Bouba, a young Libyan refugee hiding in his truck, he finds himself blackmailed to provide passage to Calais. Chris is holding a secret and Bouba now knows it. A night spent together on their ensuing journey forces them both to address their issues, bringing their own prejudices into focus.
Promo: Cut from rehearsal audio and video footage from Calais.
Meet the creative team :
Writer / Director: Alan Hopkins
Alan is a screenwriter and director with a passion for telling stories about people on the fringes of society.
Alan is a graduate of The National Film School at Dun Laoghaire IADT, receiving a BA(HONS) Degree in Film & Television Production, graduating with his debut short film, WILLITON’S WAY, which he wrote and directed. The film had a successful run on the Irish and international festival circuit and received a nomination for Best Screenplay at CayFilm International Film Festival.
Alan is heavily focused on visual storytelling, evidence of this can be seen in his work as a director of photography. Alan is deeply imbedded in all aspects of the film process, his work as a cinematographer can been seen in commended Irish shorts 69 & DEAD and The Beauty of Ballybrack which screened at the Galway film Fleadh and RTE’s short screen slot on the national broadcaster. Alan returned to the national film school to study for an Honours Master’s Degree in Screenwriting, developing his first feature script Long Time Losing. Post Masters, Alan released his second short film SLEEPER an experimental crime drama, which he co-wrote and directed. JUNGLE will be Alan’s third film as a director.
Paul McQuaid as Chris.
Paul McQuaid is an Irish actor currently based in London. Born in Dublin, Paul trained as an actor in London and can most recently be seen in ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ as well as various national commercial campaigns across the UK and Europe. He can also be seen on BBC's "Doctors".
Paul has released his debut film as a writer/ producer "29" which will have its festival run later in 2021. Paul is a unique actor with a sensitivity and insight into the interior world of the characters he plays, making him perfect for the role of Chris.
Arian Nik will play Bouba.
Arian is a British-Iranian actor originally from Leeds, currently based in London. Since he graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Arian has demonstrated his talent, intelligence and versatility as an actor across productions in film, television & theatre His most recent performance in the wonderfully heartfelt Dating Amber directed by David Freyne. Arian can also Be seen on ITV's "The Bay", and "Artemis Fowl" directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Arian is an exciting talent and the production is proud to present him as the perfect choice to bring the
character of Bouba to life.
Cinematographer: Vincenzo Marranghino
Vincenzo (Vinnie) is an Italian cinematographer who’s currently based in London. After graduating in Communication Sciences in Italy he decided to move to the UK where, starting out as a housekeeper in a hostel in Brighton he learned about the British life.
Vinnie began experimenting with 35mm photography while learning English. Fascinated by the expression of time through moving images, he moved to London where he pursued his passion for cinematography and celluloid at the London Film School.
Vincenzo was the recipient of the 2017 Panalux LFS Cinematography Award with the short film Following. Shooting on super16 brought him a nomination at the 39th ICFF Manaki Brothers for the Small Camera 300. He was later awarded at the 2018 BSC Emerging Cinematographers’ Night in the graduation section with the same short Birch. He is currently part of the BFI Network x BAFTA Crew Programme.
His first feature Los Fantasmas premiered at Rotterdam International Film Festival - IFFR as part of the Bright Future Competition and It screened at Berlin’s Critic’s Week. Back in London, he follows his passion for building a specific visual language for each story in both commercial and narrative work.
Producer: Husni Hafid
Husni Hafid is a producer born in Libya and raised in Ireland. Husni is constantly looking to produce
stories emanating from the Arab world, using his life experience to bring European sensibilities.
Husni is passionate about finding the right talent to tackle stories that speak most to him and deliver productions that create a familial artistic bond between collaborators which often translates to quality on screen.
Husni graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Film and Television production from The Irish National film School IADT Dun Laoghaire. Husni’s debut production “Williton’s Way” served as his thesis film, which had a successful festival run culminating in a nomination for best screenplay in the CayFilm International Film Festival. Husni has also worked as a producer in theatre. He produced “Heartbreak House” by George Bernard Shaw, which had a successful run in the “10 Days in Dublin Theatre Festival”.
Outside of Jungle as a project, Husni is currently writing and developing scripts with his manager that are based in Libya with the aim of giving a voice to Arab filmmakers.
Project Story :
The film is an intimate drama set against the backdrop of the refugee crisis in Europe. Chris is long-haul truck driver making his way across France. One night just outside Calais, he discovers a young Libyan refugee, Bouba, hiding in his truck. An altercation leads to a blackmail. Bouba needs Chris to take him to Calais. Using the fear of his secret being revealed, he forces him to comply. They spend the night together on the road as an uneasy relationship grows between them. Bouba is an aspiring dancer, who up to this point, has done whatever he can to survive. Bouba’s confident nature forces Chris to reconcile his own deep repressions. Despite a million stories happening just outside the truck, will a night spent discovering Bouba’s move Chris to see the real freedom he possesses? Will his chance meeting with Bouba finally give him the courage to let go.
When:
Shooting will take place in March once all funding is place and the safety of cast and crew can be ensured due to the extra risks at present relating to Covid 19.
Where:
While it was originally our intention to shoot on location in Calais, and to involve the subjects of our story with as much inclusivity in the process as possible, due to Covid 19 we could not risk the safety of refugees and our cast and crew with this venture. Production has now been moved to outside of London. The locations we have earmarked will still maintain integrity to our story but will also insure safety for all involved in the project.
Why (now):
We feel this story is of immense importance as it is an effort to humanise characters that have often been pushed to the fringes of society. When people in the media can describe refugees as “cockroaches” and the Prime Minister can call gay men “Tank-topped bumboys” a counter to such rhetoric is invaluable. It is in our own recent history that Irish had to take coffin ships to escape famine and it is a fate that is far closer to any one of us than we would like to think. Due to Covid 19 we can see how quickly people’s lives can be ruined by something out of their control, and how quickly people deemed by some to be low skilled have now become essential. In a world where society is on a knife edge and public opinion is so fickle, films that humanise the most vulnerable among us often provide the best defence against the darkest convictions of the powerful.
Where the money will go:
Every single penny will be spent on making sure we are making a film that is worthy of the subject matter that we are tackling. The Director, other producers and I are making this with our blood, sweat, tears (and savings). Despite this fact, we know any support with the budget will give us the ability to deliver a film that we envision will make the most impact.From costumes, to locations, each and every department working to bring this story to life, your help will allow us to tell a story that needs to be told, the way it should be.
Jungle, a short film is an intimate drama set against the backdrop of the refugee crisis in Europe.
Project Logline :
When Long-Haul Truck driver Chris discovers Bouba, a young Libyan refugee hiding in his truck, he finds himself blackmailed to provide passage to Calais. Chris is holding a secret and Bouba now knows it. A night spent together on their ensuing journey forces them both to address their issues, bringing their own prejudices into focus.
Promo: Cut from rehearsal audio and video footage from Calais.
Meet the creative team :
Writer / Director: Alan Hopkins
Alan is a screenwriter and director with a passion for telling stories about people on the fringes of society.
Alan is a graduate of The National Film School at Dun Laoghaire IADT, receiving a BA(HONS) Degree in Film & Television Production, graduating with his debut short film, WILLITON’S WAY, which he wrote and directed. The film had a successful run on the Irish and international festival circuit and received a nomination for Best Screenplay at CayFilm International Film Festival.
Alan is heavily focused on visual storytelling, evidence of this can be seen in his work as a director of photography. Alan is deeply imbedded in all aspects of the film process, his work as a cinematographer can been seen in commended Irish shorts 69 & DEAD and The Beauty of Ballybrack which screened at the Galway film Fleadh and RTE’s short screen slot on the national broadcaster. Alan returned to the national film school to study for an Honours Master’s Degree in Screenwriting, developing his first feature script Long Time Losing. Post Masters, Alan released his second short film SLEEPER an experimental crime drama, which he co-wrote and directed. JUNGLE will be Alan’s third film as a director.
Paul McQuaid as Chris.
Paul McQuaid is an Irish actor currently based in London. Born in Dublin, Paul trained as an actor in London and can most recently be seen in ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ as well as various national commercial campaigns across the UK and Europe. He can also be seen on BBC's "Doctors".
Paul has released his debut film as a writer/ producer "29" which will have its festival run later in 2021. Paul is a unique actor with a sensitivity and insight into the interior world of the characters he plays, making him perfect for the role of Chris.
Arian Nik will play Bouba.
Arian is a British-Iranian actor originally from Leeds, currently based in London. Since he graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Arian has demonstrated his talent, intelligence and versatility as an actor across productions in film, television & theatre His most recent performance in the wonderfully heartfelt Dating Amber directed by David Freyne. Arian can also Be seen on ITV's "The Bay", and "Artemis Fowl" directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Arian is an exciting talent and the production is proud to present him as the perfect choice to bring the
character of Bouba to life.
Cinematographer: Vincenzo Marranghino
Vincenzo (Vinnie) is an Italian cinematographer who’s currently based in London. After graduating in Communication Sciences in Italy he decided to move to the UK where, starting out as a housekeeper in a hostel in Brighton he learned about the British life.
Vinnie began experimenting with 35mm photography while learning English. Fascinated by the expression of time through moving images, he moved to London where he pursued his passion for cinematography and celluloid at the London Film School.
Vincenzo was the recipient of the 2017 Panalux LFS Cinematography Award with the short film Following. Shooting on super16 brought him a nomination at the 39th ICFF Manaki Brothers for the Small Camera 300. He was later awarded at the 2018 BSC Emerging Cinematographers’ Night in the graduation section with the same short Birch. He is currently part of the BFI Network x BAFTA Crew Programme.
His first feature Los Fantasmas premiered at Rotterdam International Film Festival - IFFR as part of the Bright Future Competition and It screened at Berlin’s Critic’s Week. Back in London, he follows his passion for building a specific visual language for each story in both commercial and narrative work.
Producer: Husni Hafid
Husni Hafid is a producer born in Libya and raised in Ireland. Husni is constantly looking to produce
stories emanating from the Arab world, using his life experience to bring European sensibilities.
Husni is passionate about finding the right talent to tackle stories that speak most to him and deliver productions that create a familial artistic bond between collaborators which often translates to quality on screen.
Husni graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Film and Television production from The Irish National film School IADT Dun Laoghaire. Husni’s debut production “Williton’s Way” served as his thesis film, which had a successful festival run culminating in a nomination for best screenplay in the CayFilm International Film Festival. Husni has also worked as a producer in theatre. He produced “Heartbreak House” by George Bernard Shaw, which had a successful run in the “10 Days in Dublin Theatre Festival”.
Outside of Jungle as a project, Husni is currently writing and developing scripts with his manager that are based in Libya with the aim of giving a voice to Arab filmmakers.
Project Story :
The film is an intimate drama set against the backdrop of the refugee crisis in Europe. Chris is long-haul truck driver making his way across France. One night just outside Calais, he discovers a young Libyan refugee, Bouba, hiding in his truck. An altercation leads to a blackmail. Bouba needs Chris to take him to Calais. Using the fear of his secret being revealed, he forces him to comply. They spend the night together on the road as an uneasy relationship grows between them. Bouba is an aspiring dancer, who up to this point, has done whatever he can to survive. Bouba’s confident nature forces Chris to reconcile his own deep repressions. Despite a million stories happening just outside the truck, will a night spent discovering Bouba’s move Chris to see the real freedom he possesses? Will his chance meeting with Bouba finally give him the courage to let go.
When:
Shooting will take place in March once all funding is place and the safety of cast and crew can be ensured due to the extra risks at present relating to Covid 19.
Where:
While it was originally our intention to shoot on location in Calais, and to involve the subjects of our story with as much inclusivity in the process as possible, due to Covid 19 we could not risk the safety of refugees and our cast and crew with this venture. Production has now been moved to outside of London. The locations we have earmarked will still maintain integrity to our story but will also insure safety for all involved in the project.
Why (now):
We feel this story is of immense importance as it is an effort to humanise characters that have often been pushed to the fringes of society. When people in the media can describe refugees as “cockroaches” and the Prime Minister can call gay men “Tank-topped bumboys” a counter to such rhetoric is invaluable. It is in our own recent history that Irish had to take coffin ships to escape famine and it is a fate that is far closer to any one of us than we would like to think. Due to Covid 19 we can see how quickly people’s lives can be ruined by something out of their control, and how quickly people deemed by some to be low skilled have now become essential. In a world where society is on a knife edge and public opinion is so fickle, films that humanise the most vulnerable among us often provide the best defence against the darkest convictions of the powerful.
Where the money will go:
Every single penny will be spent on making sure we are making a film that is worthy of the subject matter that we are tackling. The Director, other producers and I are making this with our blood, sweat, tears (and savings). Despite this fact, we know any support with the budget will give us the ability to deliver a film that we envision will make the most impact.From costumes, to locations, each and every department working to bring this story to life, your help will allow us to tell a story that needs to be told, the way it should be.
Organizer
Husni Abdelhafid
Organizer
England