Kalistani Major History

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Production begins on Republican Pictures' new Film
"Poppy" is the Biopic of slain President and Partisan Poppy Smith-Bennots
Dahriel, Ananto
August 8, 4882


Camera Crews begin shooting at historic locations in Downtown Kaliburg

Republican Studios have greenlit and begun principle photography on the movie "Poppy", a biopic of former President of the Republic Poppy Smith-Bennots, who was killed at the battle of Mt. Shmee during the Indralan invasion of Ananto during the Ananto War. Smith was 50 when she died in 3994 along with most of the Socialist Militia units defending the Bridge over the Zappa River, when Socialist Partisans were routed and nearly overran by invading and determined Indralan soldiers.

Director Don Bernard has been tapped to helm the project, and bring the creative vision of author Violet Knoffzinger, who published an authoritative biography of the late President in 4878, to life. "It is an honor to work on this project," said Knoffzinger, who also consults for the film. "President Smith was an inspiration that Kalistanis spend their lives trying to imitate, even now, 900 years later." Smith had far more authority than the President of the Republic currently would ever dream of, and when the war began, she refused to evacuate the Island, but stayed behind, joined the Militia as a Captain of Partisan Artillery, but when her position was repeatedly overrun by rapidly advancing Indralans, she joined a provisional rifle company, which is where she died. "The story of her time in the Militia during the war is widely known even today," said Bernard, "but this film also gets into her pre-war life and presents her as a complicated and intelligent young woman dedicated to socialism in the Late Imperial Republican period."


President Poppy Smith-Bennots, on Left is to be portrayed by actress Tanna al-Yusef-Talibbi, from Yoshimi

Smith, a devout member of the Brethrenist Faith, held advanced degrees in Economic and International Trade, and was a post-doctoral Fellow working on Public Policy when she was elected to the Presidency at the age of 33 following a collapse in the Internationalist Government under President Estevez. She was elected to focus more on the Republic and adopt a less internationalist stance, but world events at the beginning of the Terra War outpaced her. Her entire administration was incredibly tense, beginning with problems in the Anatonese Ocean, and ending, unfortunately in her untimely death defending Kaliburg from a ground assault. Most of Kaliburg was eventually leveled by Naval barrage from the Indralan Fleet anyway, but due to the previous and tireless efforts of the Kalistani Government, most civilians had been evacuated to the mainland previous to the bombardment. Kaliburg was never occupied, due largely to the determination of Socialist Partisans.

Smith never had a spouse in her 17 years as President of the Republic. Her biographer explained that she had always wanted a love life, but first her education and then her duties as President of the Republic and then the war foreclosed any opportunities for romance. "She had a plenty romantic life, to live and die in the service of the Republic, defending Ananto in a hopeless battle that only ended in a draw against one of the most mighty Empires in Terra because Indrala needed the troops and supplies and war equipment elsewhere. Unfortunately for her, this did not mean a long term committed relationship though."

Accomplished and skilled Yoshimi actress Tanna al-Yusef-Talibbi, 43, will play Smith in the movie. "It's a real thrill to portray such a Kalistani Hero," said al-Yusef. "In a lot of ways, it almost feels like we are going through a lot of the same things today as she had to go through, but of course, we have the benefit of nine centuries of history on her, and things are a lot different too." Al-Yusef, who is herself a practicing Ahmadi was asked if it would be difficult portraying the Fighting Brethrenist. "No, I can't see how it would be. Much like the Brethren, the Ahmadi is religion of peace as well. And like the Brethren, we would also not disobey our conscience if it said we must fight."

Al-Yusef said she joined the cast after being shown the script. "I was a real fan of the book when it came out a few years ago, so when Don [Bernard] called me and told me that he had me in mind to portray the President, I put my own production about Halal Cooking on hiatus for as long as it takes to complete this Project." Al-Yusef also became one of the Executive Producers of the film.

Primary Photography is expected to wrap in February. The film will be shot primarily in and around Dahriel, but additional locations will be in Kaliburg, Neveras, and Eveari. The President's demise will not be shown graphically, out of respect for her and the partisans who died at her side. "We are working with Special effects teams to depict the destruction of Kaliburg, though," said Bernard, who plans to rely heavily on archival footage and CGI. "That sequence alone almost doubles the cost of the production," said Bernard, "But the goal is to be as faithful to History, and to show Audiences what happened to Ananto and Kalistan as a whole during the battles in the War." Luckily, though, Bernard and Knoffzinger both imagine this movie to be a "character drama" with the action sequences taking up a relatively small part of the film, while dialogue and character development occupy the vast majority of the movie. Several hundred members of the RSMoK have also been contracted to be extras and to perform minor speaking roles in the Movie.

"It will not be boring at all," said Bernard, "but it is not intended to be a war movie. Both Vye [Knoffzinger] and I wanted to make this a beautiful ode to one of the truest examples of Kalistani Patriotism that ever walked our soil, and perhaps inspire modern Kalistanis to emulate her example."

"Poppy" is slated for release next summer.