Kalistani Major History

[Doc]

New Film Studios open in Sulari
Kalistan Film Collective's first major picture "Nowhere Man" earns modest profit
Sulari, Suldanor
March 1, 5343


Derrick Jacobs stars in his first major motion picture, the sci-philosophical drama "Nowhere Man"

Kalistan has in the last couple decades really taken an interest in the art of making movies, producing several big name motion pictures. There is some sign that domestic audiences are starting to pay more attention to Kalistani-made and financed movies than they had before 5300. There appears to be enough interest in the movie industry that in July of last year, a group of investors and film makers themselves capitalized a new film production corporation, known as the Kalistani Film Collective, which aims to attract more independent films and smaller films which may not necessarily meet the criteria necessary for greenlighting films at Republican Studios. The KFC aims to supplement the domestic catalog with smaller, more story driven or cerebral movies that may attract niche audiences.

One such movie is KFC's first major motion picture, the science-philosophic film "Nowhere Man". Its main star, Derrick Jacobs plays a man named Utopia. The story, told from the end of Utopia's life describes both the opportunities and challenges of existing without a country. Utopia has the ability to travel to any point on the globe at will, and once there, can more or less inhabit a random individual. Over the course of this asynchronous tale of international travel and radical cosmopolitanism, a story of three loves of Utopia play out: Throughout the movie, he falls in love with three women, all in less than ideal nations, and he must decide whether it is worth never travelling again and settling down, or continuing to live the life of the stateless man. This conundrum takes up most of the movie.

Jacobs said of the performance: "Its a very complex story that explores ideas of national identity, patriotism, and culture. For example: If Utopia can travel and easily fit into any and every culture, merely at will, is culture itself a real thing, like is it in the genes of the people in that culture, or is it completely and utterly constructed? And if it is constructed, like if National Identity is constructed, what does that mean for individuals who use national identity to get and hold power? If it is not constructed but is something that is maybe genetic, can we ever really see assimilation of immigrants into our society? And what does it really mean to possess a national identify which is entirely unenforcable? And further more, if our identity is supposed to be what divides us, what role does love, even cross culture love play in the whole thing?"

"Nowhere Man" is not seen as a block buster. It has a relatively small budget and a cast of largely unknown actors who carry the more than 2 hour and 20 minute long exploration of ideas around identity. "Nowhere Man" was produced for less than K2 Million, and was adapted from a philosophical text by Martin De Groot. Nonetheless, the movie is already seen as a success at the box office, turning a modest profit for KFC in its first month. The Soundtrack features both alternative rock from Kalistan as well as music from Dorvik, Istalia, Luthori, Vascania, Lourenne, Dankuk, and Valruzia. The cast not only includes half a dozen Kalistani actors, but extras and actors from NSanlosa, Dankuk, Lourenne, Indrala, Deltaria, Badara, Vascania Gaduridos, and Egelion. Most principle photography took place in Kalistan, but there were more than 2 dozen location shots and sets from around the world, treating Kalistani audiences to the sights and sounds of the World, right along with Utopia. "We were careful not to use actual countries and their cultures' names," said Derrick Jacobs. "This way, these places can be anywhere and truely, we did get to go to a lot of remarkable and beautiful places, but the Collective didn't want some country thinking we were depicting them unfairly. We leave it open to interpretation where you think we are, but this movie is totally set on a fictional planet very similar to our own."

The movie is a major first for KFC and hints at great things to come for the new studio.