Entertainment

Five Years North – Kellie Rastegar supports incredible new documentary

Published

4 years ago

March 19, 2020

American Real Estate Power Couple Kellie and Ari Rastegar have recently signed on as executive producers for a feature documentary that explores the dreams and struggles of an undocumented boy in modern New York City. The film, Five Years North, will premiere in April at Full Frame Festival in Durham, North Carolina.

Five Years North follows a boy named Luis as he works, studies, and lives life in New York City — all while evading Judy, a Cuban-American ICE agent who patrols his neighborhood. Besides staying one step ahead of ICE, Luis also struggles with mounting debt and the needs of his impoverished family back in Guatemala. The film offers viewers a rare and powerful portrait of immigration in America.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this project,” says Kellie. “Luis’s lived experience in Five Years North is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. Documentary filmmaking gives us such a powerful tool to dissect society and the human condition.”

The documentary was made by Optimist, a non-profit film studio whose documentaries have helped raise $91 million for poverty alleviation and refugee education. Optimist’s films and series have been viewed over 35 million times across digital platforms, building a dedicated following and sparking positive social change.

Kellie, now a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of real estate investment firm Rastegar Property Company, started her business career in the film industry. She served as Johnny Depp’s personal assistant during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Tourist, and she played a small acting role in the latter film. Kellie’s mother is Guatemalan, so the lives and events depicted in Five Years North are particularly poignant to her.

Ari, Kellie’s husband and CEO of Rastegar Property Company, has earned a reputation as a thought leader in real estate with his innovative, technology-driven investment strategies. The recent success of Rastegar Property Company has enabled Ari to pursue a longtime passion and acquire an independent film studio.

With the studio and other Rastegar brands, Kellie and Ari strive to empower the communities that supported them as children, young professionals, and now prominent entrepreneurs.

After the Full Frame Festival, Five Years North will go on a nationwide festival tour with a schedule that includes prestigious documentary fests like Mountainfilm in Telluride and DocLands in the San Francisco Bay Area. The film will be distributed on major digital platforms following the tour. Part of the proceeds will help fund an impact campaign to support undocumented minors like Luis.

Entertainment

“The Firing Squad”: I Cried Buckets of Tears

Published

1 week ago

April 25, 2024

Jonathan Grilli

Sitting in the dimly lit theater, I had no idea what to expect as the opening credits of “The Firing Squad” began to roll. Little did I know that I was about to embark on an emotional journey that would leave me reaching for tissues and struggling to catch my breath.

The film follows the true story of three Christians facing execution by firing squad in a third world country. Directed by Timothy A. Chey, it features a stellar cast including James Barrington, Kevin Sorbo, and Cuba Gooding Jr. Each actor brings their character to life with such authenticity and depth that it’s impossible not to be fully immersed in their struggles and triumphs.

As the plot unfolded, I found myself drawn into a world of despair and desperation, but also one of unwavering faith and hope. The characters’ journey from darkness to light, from despair to redemption, resonated with me on a deeply personal level. I couldn’t help but be moved by their courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

But it was the performances that truly stole the show. James Barrington’s portrayal of the protagonist’s internal turmoil was nothing short of mesmerizing, while Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. delivered powerhouse performances that left me in awe.

And then there was the message of the film—that no matter how bleak the circumstances may seem, there is always hope. That even in our darkest moments, faith has the power to transform lives and bring about redemption. It was a message that hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me with tears streaming down my face and a renewed sense of purpose.

As the credits rolled and the lights came up, I found myself struggling to put into words the impact that “The Firing Squad” had on me. All I could manage was, “I cried buckets of tears.” And I wasn’t alone. As I looked around the theater, I saw others wiping their eyes and exchanging emotional glances.

In the end, “The Firing Squad” wasn’t just a movie—it was an experience. An experience that left me feeling inspired, uplifted, and profoundly grateful for the power of cinema to touch the soul. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

The movie is set to premiere in the theatres worldwide on August 2, 2024. And this is definitely a must watch movie, reminding people of the strength of faith.