‘Bonnie & Bonnie’ Producer on How AI Helped Him Envision Locarno’s Match Me! Project ‘700 Days in Homs’

As a film enthusiast and admirer of remarkable stories, I am deeply moved by Sulaiman Tadmory and Ali Hakim’s journey in creating “700 Days in Homs.” Tadmory’s personal experience of surviving the terror and chaos in Homs during the Syrian conflict is both harrowing and inspiring. His determination to transform his story into a film that amplifies the voices of young residents and raises global awareness is truly commendable.

I’m a film student stuck in the Syrian city of Homs, under siege by government troops. In Sulaiman Tadmory and Ali Hakim’s documentary “700 Days in Homs,” I struggle to find a way out as the situation around me grows increasingly desperate.

The project is being worked on right now at Hakim + König Film in Germany. Hakim will attend Match Me!, an esteemed producer networking event held in Locarno from August 9-11.

“700 Days in Homs,” created by Epikfilm, is based on Tadmory’s experiences living through the turmoil of war-stricken Homs. In his own words, “I have endured the constant terror of bombings in Homs, where fear and destruction were ever-present.” This film showcases the remarkable resilience and unity of the city’s youth amidst the chaos, offering a shift from despair to hope. Its objective is to amplify their voices and generate global awareness, highlighting the unwavering spirit of the Syrian people.

Tadmory, a filmmaker who began as a journalist, will collaborate with Hakim on writing and directing their new war drama. Notably, Hakim’s debut feature “Bonnie & Bonnie” showcased at the Hamburg Film Festival in 2019. This production company, Hakim + König Film, was established by Hakim and Max König (“WaPo Bodensee”), and they plan to focus on the “pop arthouse” genre within Germany and globally.

In an exclusive interview with EbMaster before Match Me!, Hakim expressed his ambition to create art house films, yet reach a large audience. “We’re not interested in making movies for a small crowd at the cinema,” he shared. “Our goal is to be featured in major cineplexes. This sets us apart. Moreover, we strive to tell stories that resonate with all cultures and communities, rather than limiting ourselves to projects that only appeal to a specific market like Germany, which has fewer financing options.”

Hakim was drawn to producing “700 Days in Homs” from among the expanding list of company projects due to his ambition to make movies that resonate with a broad audience. He expressed, “We strive to create something that moves audiences while keeping it engaging. Today’s viewers seek depth beyond superhero tales. With a skilled team and an impactful story, we can deliver an enthralling arthouse experience.”

Hakim is now revising the script for “700 Days in Homs.” He shares that films like “500 Days of Summer” by Marc Webb and “Memento” by Christopher Nolan have significantly influenced his project. He explains, “We were drawn to ‘500 Days of Summer’ due to its unconventional storytelling method. When I initially listened to Sulaiman recounting his experiences, he would jump from the past to the future in a disjointed sequence. To mirror this in our film, we aim to adopt a similar non-linear narrative style. Additionally, we’re inspired by Nolan’s bold approach with ‘Memento.'”

Hakim, a filmmaker of Afghan-German descent, is among the 36 young producers chosen for Match Me!’s tenth edition. Instead of focusing on securing financing during his time in Switzerland, Hakim looks further ahead. He aims to build trustworthy connections and learn from experienced producers. His goal is to gain insights into how films are financed abroad and explore new technologies used in filmmaking.

The producer is deeply fascinated by technology, particularly AI, which he emphasizes has significantly enhanced his creative workflow. He shared an example of his process: “Before starting a new project, I design a poster as if it’s already playing in a theater. Next, I immerse myself in music and use AI tools to generate visuals based on specific references. As a visually-driven writer, this approach helps me visualize the story.”

Instead of immediately opposing the use of new technology like artificial intelligence in filmmaking, the producer reflects on how he can utilize it to enhance his storytelling. For instance, while writing a script and dedicating around four days for the breakdown process, AI tools such as ChatGPT could accomplish this task in just two hours.

“Additionally, we’re considering using AI for dubbing and generating subtitles. Next September, I’ll be attending an AI subtitling conference in Berlin, which could significantly broaden our reach on a global scale,” he mentioned. In simpler terms, we’re considering going beyond national boundaries with the help of AI technology.

‘Bonnie & Bonnie’ Producer on How AI Helped Him Envision Locarno’s Match Me! Project ‘700 Days in Homs’

2024-07-24 15:16

‘Bonnie & Bonnie’ Producer on How AI Helped Him Envision Locarno’s Match Me! Project ‘700 Days in Homs’

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