Iron Light Labs
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A team of Iranian filmmakers risked everything to produce a short film in the streets of Tehran — and the behind the scenes story is as compelling as the film itself.
The filmmakers submitted a fake script to the Iranian government in order to secure permits to shoot the film. Embedded inside the fake script was the real film.
LA-based filmmaker Farbod Ardebili directed the film from the United States via WhatsApp. He relied on the platform's end-to-end encryption to securely communicate with the team in Tehran.
Once filming was complete, he edited the film stateside.
"Forbidden to See Us Scream in Tehran" tells the story of a fearless frontwoman for an Iranian death metal band who will stop at nothing to free her little sister from an oppressive Islamic regime.
Our hope is that the film helps raise awareness of the current uprising in Iran sparked by the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Amini was arrested by the morality police for her allegedly loose hijab. Her death sparked protests against the Islamic Republic with thousands being arrested and killed by the regime.
12/21/2022
Powerful storytelling combined with emerging technology, like virtual reality, results in effective empathy-building and shifting culture. By combining VR and film with an immersive physical experience, the Iron Light Labs team is taking the possibilities and impact to another level.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated 3D environment that creates an opportunity for the participant to become part of the story, interact with the characters, and be transported to another place. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is the number one seller of VR headsets called Oculus. According to them, "VR uses cutting-edge graphics, best-in-class hardware, and artistically rendered experiences to create a computer-simulated environment where you aren’t just a passive participant, but a co-conspirator. With a VR headset, you’re fully absorbed in realistic 3D worlds, creating a major shift in how we experience the digital realm."
According to Zippa, 15% of Americans are using VR, and 1 in 4 VR users are between the ages of 25 and 34 years old.
- There are 50.2 million VR users in the U.S., which is 15% of the country's population.
- There are over 171 million VR users worldwide.
- The VR industry market size is $7.72 billion.
- 47% of Americans say they are familiar with VR.
- 25- to 34-year-olds account for 23% of VR/AR device users.
- 57% of VR or AR device owners are male, while 43% are female.
The creation of VR requires expert knowledge, and special equipment to master the technical expertise. It also needs powerful storytelling to connect the VR content to a larger content strategy and impact. Research shows that VR accelerates empathy and helps participants deeply understand and connect to the topic of the VR they are experiencing.
Listen to a recent podcast interview featuring our president, Jo Jensen, and Karmen Berentsen, owner of A Line Boutique, where they discuss VR and all of its possibilities.
Listen here:
15. Changing the World through Film with Jo Jensen Listen to this episode from A Line Stories on Spotify. This week Karmen sits down with Jo Jensen. Jo is an avid A Line shopper, film producer, and charity board member.Jo and her team create documentaries about real-world issues that to raise awareness and cause real, lasting solutions. Some of Jo's...
07/22/2022
"I first met Lisa Creason by chance. But that chance meeting changed both of our lives forever.
In 2015, Lisa read a newspaper column I had written about barriers to opportunity for ex-offenders in Illinois. She reached out to tell me she was on a mission to destroy those barriers.
When we spoke for the first time, on the corner of LaSalle and Adams in the heart of downtown Chicago, she told me about her dream of moving her children out of Section 8 housing, out of a dangerous neighborhood and off of government assistance.
Most people would be content after accomplishing their life’s goal. Lisa is not most people. Her dream today is that no mother ever has to go through the pain that she did to pursue her passion. Unfortunately, in 15 states, men and women like Lisa are still being denied their dreams to work in health care because of their criminal record. We hope to use her story of redemption as a tool to help change those unjust laws, just as we did in Illinois.
That is why this film exists. Because nothing will stand between Lisa and her dream." - Austin Berg, Executive Producer of FREE TO CARE
FREE TO CARE will screen at the Montauk Film Festival on July 28th at 8pm.
06/03/2022
“The only thing we can do is persist, not to lose spirit or hope.” - Jimmy Lai
We are partnering with the Acton Institute to tell the important story of Jimmy Lai, a successful Hong Kong entrepreneur currently imprisoned for his opposition to the Chinese Communist Party.
THE HONG KONGER was produced in partnership with Iron Light Labs, and we are excited to bring Jimmy’s story to Washington, D.C. where it will be shown at the Capitol Visitor Center June 7th.
RSVP to secure your seat for a viewing of the film and Q&A with an expert panel.
Q&A and Film Viewing on the Status of Freedom in Hong Kong Q+A and Film Viewing on the Status of Freedom in Hong Kong
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