Support Gaspar Avedisyants' Short Film

Hi, my name is Gaspar Avedisyants, I’m a filmmaker based in New York.

We are raising money to produce an ambitious short film: NOTHING REMAINS.

NOTHING REMAINS is a 12-minute short film, that we shot from November 1st to 3rd in the iconic West Taghkanic diner, in the Catskills.

Logline:

After his car breaks down on a highway, a young journalist ends up in a mysterious diner, where he looks for a phone to call for roadside assistance. There he discovers that the benevolent intentions of

the diner's inhabitants are not as sincere as they seem.

A word from the director:

Although this story is surreal and takes place in a fictional world, it is very personal to me. The plot and characters are based on my real experiences. Two important and interconnected themes inspired me to create this film: the expression of individuality in a conservative society and the risk of losing oneself in a new community. These questions have become especially significant to me at this stage of my life, and I’m confident they will resonate with my generation.

Where is the line between integration and complete assimilation? How do you fit into a new society while preserving your identity, culture, and connection to the past? I have lived away from my homeland for several years now, and realize how challenging it is to adapt to a new culture while maintaining your identity and roots. This concern is particularly acute for me as an Armenian, being part of a small nation scattered across the world.

Today, in an era of globalization, these questions are more relevant than ever. I want to explore these issues in my film using metaphors, grotesque, and elements of surrealism. My goal is to examine these themes through the lens of personal experience while preserving their universality, allowing the viewer to reflect on the importance of inner freedom and maintaining one’s uniqueness under the pressure of society.

The location:

The world of the film is confined to a single location—a diner, which serves as a metaphor for society. The interior of the diner looks warm and cozy, creating a contrast with the complete darkness outside.

At first glance, the diner appears quite realistic, but certain details reveal the surreal nature of the story. First, we don’t know exactly when the events of the film take place. The absence of mobile phones suggests it is set in the past, but the exact years are unknown. The diner also features fictional propaganda posters with various slogans.

The characters:

Oliver - a young man prone to self-reflection and slightly weary. Although he is a talented journalist, Oliver also struggles with self-confidence and expressing his individuality. He lacks interest in most people around him and thus has some issues communicating. With people who potentially interest him, he fears being uninteresting himself and disappointing them. As a result, he often has to behave in a way that is not entirely natural or sincere, trying to please others rather than being himself.

Jane - found herself in a position similar to Oliver's recently. As a new member of the diner, she still retains some individuality, setting her apart from the others. Oliver is Jane's first mission. She must prove her usefulness, which for her means justifying the abandonment of her individuality.

Lottie - she is not particularly known for her politeness or manners. In her world, everything follows strict laws and rules. She is the leader of the diner's inhabitants and the keeper of these very rules. She is not concerned with the rationale behind the rules, only with their enforcement.

Ben and Matt - are a concept of a collective hero. Although their appearance might suggest they are simple country folk, this is merely a facade, beneath which lies cunning and deceit. In the most critical moment, it is their responsibility to execute the final part of the plan.

Our (incredible) team:

Why do we need you?

We are raising $15,000 to make this ambitious short film happen. This amount will cover some of the production costs that still need to be taken care of (crew and equipment) and post-production costs (editing). We would love for this film to have a life on its own and run a festival campaign - so we'll also need to cover festivals costs.

Making a film in New-York is not easy, but we believe that when you are dedicated and passionate, you can make anything happen!

Help us make magic - and change lives - through storytelling.

We got some special gifts for you !

To thank you for your support, here is what we can offer you:

ENJOY!

Thank you all. We appreciate you