The Project: “Native Land”
February 6, 2008
Leggi in Italiano
Native Land is the first project we are proud to publish. We could define it a project of “sustainable cinema”. The producer Breven Angaelica Warren, an incredible person and artist based in Portland, that I met at the last Sundance Film Festival, explains the idea.
“Native Land is the first narrative feature entirely shot in Southern Sudan. There were thoughts of filming elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa for safety reasons. But after meeting with local, tribal and state officials in Sudan, we are confident that this will be an amazing opportunity for the people of Sudan to tell their stories in ways not explored before. The production of Native Land will be more than just the shooting itself. The realization of the movie will take to a sustainable local venture where growing, harvesting and additional development can continue and prosper for generations to come.”
Another movie should be shot about the background of the production itself:
“I will be overly honest….financing…..I have none. Please don’t laugh or misunderstand. I really don’t. The land in the center of these three countries (Sudan, DR Congo and Central African Republic) was given to my family. The chief below the Paramount Chief, basically the Tribal Chief, is now my “brother”. My father was the only one who responded to a plea from the Chief’s brother when the Chief got cerebral malaria. My father answered to an email and had him flown out for treatment. He in turn is now my father’s son and my brother, and gave my family a very large piece of land in the center of these three countries (with the tallest hill where we are erecting a radio station to help unite these people).
The producer Breven Angaelica Warren
My family has a non-profit and if there was any chance of support for this film/farming project it is tax deductible. The script I found is by a talented writer who had penned the perfect story to go along with the farm. She literally supported my venture by giving the project her screenplay under the faithful promise that I WILL bring it to life. I plan on leaving as soon as I can. To be honest I only have half the money for my ticket right now, so I am trying to work that out. The camp is being built right now. It will be used as the set for the movie and will also work as permanent housing for locals as well as a teacher training/farming workshop facility, now and in the future.
On the left is the Paramount Chief of Southern Sudan and the right the Paramount Chief of DR Congo. These men are rulers in their area. And while only a border divides them, until this very day of the photograph they had never spoken (although they’d seen each other in a market once….what do kings say to one another, anyway?). Well, our goal is to unite these men and their tribes. Before colonization they were one culture, one peoples all speaking one tongue, Zande. Divided their communication has been nonexistent. Hopefully now, bringing these men together people groups can be reunited and learn more richly of their unique and distinct culture, share farming practices and the arts together and for the next generation. The “Native Land farm” will be built on the border of Sudan and DR Congo and Central African Republic, between the lands of these two Paramount Chiefs and is supported by their efforts as a camp to share such
information. It is my goal to have a picture of these two chiefs sitting with the Paramount Chief from CAR for you soon….”
More about this project will be published later. If you’re interested to any aspect of this production, please write me.
February 10, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Breven,
Your project sounds amazing! I had no idea that your family owned land in southern Sudan, or that you were producing a feature film script about the plight of the people in southern Sudan and DR Congo. I will make contact with Jock Brandis, founder of Full Belly Project, and see if we can arrange a conference call. I would like to help out in any way possible.
It was such a joy to meet you at Sundance. I look forward to seeing you again very soon.
Sincerely,
Keith
February 12, 2008 at 7:03 am
Breven,
This is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing this, and I wish you nothing but positive vibes as you journey towards making this happen.
Best,
David
February 12, 2008 at 9:30 am
Breven, You do look so familiar and your name is as well, but I am having trouble remembering where we met. Can you refresh my memory. I certainly think you are courageous in doing this important work and I wish you much success.
Bryna
February 12, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hi Brevan
This seems like a worthwhile project, let me know about the distribution situation on this project as I may be able to help out
Tyrone D Murphy
February 12, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi Breven,
I don’t know if you recall me, you were in a class I taught at Florida State a number of years ago. I admire what you are doing, its very exciting and I wish you the best of luck.
-Al Stiegman
February 12, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hi Breven
This is a wonderful project. I have a special love for Sudan. I lived there for 11 months in the 1980’s.
What part of South Sudan is this?
I spent one of the most wonderful weeks of my life in the Nuba Mountains (which are only slightly south), and later spent Christmas in Juba.
Chris
February 12, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Breven,
Thank you for embracing the people of the Sudan; they most certainly will embrace you.
With great admiration,
John
February 12, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Breven,
The Sudan is a long way from Tallahassee..Good luck to you, keep up the good work. You’re in our thoughts. Let me know if you need anything.
Fellow Seminole, Floridian, and 2/12′er
Greg H.
February 13, 2008 at 3:42 am
Hi Breven,
This is sooooo amazing what you are doing. I am grateful to have come in path with you, and I truly wish God can bless your whole venture and finishing with the “Native Land” project and to tell a story of a land and people for many to reach out to.
Michelle W. from HUGS with lots of hugs to you !
February 13, 2008 at 6:58 am
Simply amazing - if theres anything I can do to help this take flight please let me know.
February 13, 2008 at 8:30 am
Breven,
It’s an awesome project. You’ve got your work cut out for you. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.
PJ Gaynard
February 13, 2008 at 9:08 am
Hi Breven,
Will you have time for our getting together before you leave? I’d love to have some time to talk with you about your project. As you know I am working on something similar in concept for Mathare, Kenya.
Much love and respect in Christ,
Susan ;0)
February 13, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Breven,
Looks fantastic. I am amazed at what you do.
Paul
February 13, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Absolutely fabulous! You are an angel. If I were a wealthy woman or even a solvent one…you would be my choice to give money to. Please let me know if I can help you with this project.
February 13, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Breven,
What a wonderful project! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you step forward on this remarkable journey. I look forward to hearing more, as a project as amazing as this will happen!
Best Regards,
Sherie
February 14, 2008 at 1:04 am
Bringing this all together for a place and a time that needs it most, may it inspire other divided areas to look at their divisions, and learn to splice thier relationships in some way; I do also have a sister who has done tremendous amounts of community work in east Africa; I’ll find her info and pass it along,(Laura l. Murphy phd)(soon as I dig it up)It’ll be soo much warmer than sundance,huh! my heart is with you,dean,(in ptwa still)
February 14, 2008 at 2:42 am
Our prayers are with you and your team. We are looking forward to see more of your pictures, videos, and hearing more testimonies of the wonderful works God is doing through your efforts.
Many Blessings
Dale & Anita
February 14, 2008 at 2:44 am
Thank you for sharing this great work
February 16, 2008 at 7:44 am
hi breven
i am excited to see your mail. its really a wonderful job done by you. i never go to sudan nor i watch your film but it’s become very much interesting to me when i read your mail.
i live in the city named guwahati, the capital city of the state i.e. assam of the country india. we have a organization by named ‘adda’, working for the improvment of films in this region is also organizing a annual ‘road side open air short film festival’ every year in the evening of 31st october. so, it is requested to you to plese send your film for screening in the festival. but this will not be paid.hope you reply me soon. regards,
amarjyoti.
February 16, 2008 at 9:54 am
Hi Breven.Great to hear from you and about the filming work you are doing.Could you be the Esther(Hadassa)of the said area?!After all you by filming are bringing to light your people`s plight to light.Of course they will triumph and you are already blest.
February 21, 2008 at 8:31 am
Hello Breven, what an amazing thing you are doing! I hope your project brings more awareness to the folks in the US about the rest of the world. Your friend from Brasil. Great Job
Daniel Castro
April 18, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Howzit Breven,
This is the greatest idea I think I’ve ever heard of! Please let me know if there is anything I can do to be a part of this remarkable project.
Shot,
Timothy