The United States keeps Sudan on a "terror watch list"--screenwriter/director Bentley Brown brought Sudan to the heart of Texas for eight days of filming Faisal Goes West, a short film about a Sudanese family's move to Dallas.
The film--a drama, not documentary--highlights the refugee resettlement experience common in Dallas's Vickery Meadow area as well as in other parts of the DFW Metroplex, particularly Richardson and the mid-cities.
The film's American and Sudanese cast was highlighted by Sudanese-American actors Ramey Dawoud, Tamador Sheikheldin, Azmi Abusam, and Dallas local Yassir Dirar. Director of Photography Alyaa Sirelkhatim and Assistant Director Ehab Abasaeed joined the crew from the UK and Washington, D.C., and Dallas local Rani Birchfield led a core of over 30 volunteers and professionals.
Pre-production and filming were made a reality by backers from all over the crowd-funding universe, from L.A. to Dubai to Kuala Lumpur. The film is currently in post-production. Those interested in supporting the Dallas film can visit its website at http://faisalgoeswest.com.
