THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY A “FAHIM SPEAKS” MOVIE PROJECT

THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY A “FAHIM SPEAKS” MOVIE PROJECT

SHOULD MOVE FORWARD

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1)????It’s a true story!

The script is based on the award-winning and critically-acclaimed “FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back.” It won the Gold Medal for “Best Biography” from the MWSA (Military Writers Society of America). The story’s movie script took occasional license to create a viable story but the major elements are all true.

2)????It’s a love story!

Spousal love and patriotic love combine in a most compelling way.

3)????It’s a real-life adventure story!

From fighting Communists on the streets of Kabul as a youth to a thrilling escape over the Hindu Kush’s snow-covered mountains into Pakistan and then to America to returning to Afghanistan as a Marine interpreter and having the Taliban put a bounty on his head, Fahim’s journey is amazing. Not to mention all his Hollywood adventures!

4)????It’s a?War Story!

The “war movie” genre will always be with us?as?countless folks with military connections look for stories of people in “harm’s way” dealing with life and death, danger and destruction, with all the associated emotions and interpersonal conflict as?people seek meaning,?catharsis?understanding and more.

5)????It’s a true “Rags to Riches” Story!

Horatio Alger has nothing on Fahim Fazli. How did a poor Afghan boy with a 9th?grade education, whose mother was forced to abandon him in Kabul, somehow make it to America, learn the language, become a citizen, and realize his dream of becoming a SAG actor who would work with many of Hollywood’s top stars? And then he put on a uniform at age 43 and became a war hero. You can’t make this stuff up. Horatio Alger just wrote about improbable, inspiring and FICTITIOUS young men. Fahim Fazli is a very real person!??And Americans love?TRUE?stories of triumph over hardship, adversity, and the odds.

6)????Afghanistan stories are timely!

Some ponder that there might be Afghanistan “fatigue” once the present crisis plays out in Kabul. A fair question. But after Vietnam’s unfortunate denouement in 1975 there was a spate of Vietnam movies. Indeed a whole new genre.?Deer Hunter. Apocalypse Now. Platoon. Born on the 4th?of July. Full Metal Jacket. Good Morning Vietnam.?On and On.Numerous Academy Award nominations.?There will likely be a demand for film productions to help us process and come to terms with many aspects of the Afghan experience. FAHIM SPEAKS.

7)????It’s a Hollywood Story!

As perhaps the only SAG actor to put on a uniform and go into harm’s way after 9/11, FAHIM SPEAKS gives Hollywood a unique opportunity to celebrate the heroism of one of its own. Consider?ARGO.?That movie won the “Best Picture” Oscar. It was a celebration of a real-life adventure story where Hollywood protagonists created a script and infiltrated revolutionary Tehran to help free real-life diplomats who were secretly trapped in the Canadian Embassy during the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. (Interesting, Fahim Fazli had a role in?ARGO!)

8)????It’s an honest story!

Neither the book nor the script pull any punches when it comes to honestly acknowledging the prejudices Fahim had to overcome during his life journey. Yes, the FBI did come looking for him right after 9/11. Still, Fahim would later put on his adopted country’s?uniform and return to the most dangerous place in Afghanistan to counter the Taliban. One cannot overstate the importance of this dynamic as part of the whole story being presented to 2022 America.

9)????It will have international appeal!

For many reasons. From Kabul to Karachi to Kenya to Kiev. Can explain this better later. The script includes “Waltzing Matilda” music in two places. That will pull in the Kiwis and the Aussies.

10)???It should have great music!

Besides “Waltzing Matilda,” and the Marine Corps Hymn, an accompanying and diverse musical score is crucial. Lots of fun and poignant options to consider.

11)??It might pull in Warriors Inc. !

With all associated resources, contacts and networks, Warriors Inc. might be a natural partner in the production process. Founder Dale Dye was and is one of the most influential “military: people in Hollywood. In fact, it was his “Warriors Publishing Group which published FAHIM SPEAKS with the wonderful involvements of WPG editor Dr. Julia Dye. Although he is not mentioned by name in the current script, Dale is the person Cosgrove refers to in the final scene when he tells Fahim he’s found a publisher for his story. To actually have Dale play himself and appear in that last scene could be very cool.

12)??It has a great ending!

The ending is the most important part of any movie. A good ending can save a mediocre story. Although Fahim’s story is compelling throughout. And the citation read to Fahim at the end is real. And he did receive that flag and plaque from General Mills. The music at the end is crucial. And photos of real-life people accompanying the credit roll underscore that this movie was inspired by real people and events. And the dedication to “Fahima Fazli and the Women of Afghanistan” is now more relevant, meaningful, poignant and inspiring than ever before. Fahim and I both independently re-read the script last week and we both had tears streaming down our cheeks. And we both already knew how the story ended. That’s how powerful this project is.

By; Michael Moffett