From personal conflict to the big screen, the short film ‘One Last Stand’ will not only be screened locally at the Sunscreen Film Festival but will take a UT Film and Media Arts major all the way to France for the Cannes Film Festival later in May.
‘One Last Stand’ is a film that takes place in a world on the verge of WWIII when God chooses two people to make the decision to restart human history.
Mehanna came up with the idea after he and his sister took a trip to Lebanon. His family had left six years earlier for the United States. When the Mehanna’s went for a returned visit, they only planned on staying a few weeks. During that time, war broke out and Mehanna and his family were in the middle of it.
‘It was an experience that we never dreamt we would have been a part of,’ Mehanna said.
During this time he struggled with his faith and questioned why God was not doing anything.
Mehanna originally shot the 20-minute film for his narrative productions class; it cost $300.
He decided to redo the film after suggestions from his professors and support from family and friends.
‘The characters weren’t balanced,’ Mehanna said. ‘The original cut was melodramatic and I wanted it more to be a ‘last breath before you dive, drama.’
The new film cost $4,500 and Mehanna actually had a crew this time, as opposed to just using his father and a camera in the original film.
Cut down to 15 minutes, the script was empowered with more ‘gutsy’ dialogue, according to Mehanna.
‘I wanted it to be as real as possible,’ he said.
Mehanna’s support from professors, families and friends led him to the decision to submit his film to multiple film festivals; now he is on his way to two.
Michael Long served as the producer and Andrew Ortoski as the director of photography. Zach Ramos served as set designer, working 48 hours straight to ensure the set’s authenticity.
‘I feel very humbled and blessed, because of how many people helped and supported me to achieve my aims so far,’ Mehanna said.
Mehanna will graduate this spring. After going back to Lebanon for two months, he then plans on returning to the states to go to graduate school.
He dreams of going to University of Southern California, Chapman University or the American Film Institute, all of which are in Los Angeles.
Mehanna is already working on a new script for a new short film.
Below is the official ‘One Last Stand’ Trailer.
Also check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLf1i7sGYq0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1U57qg-C7M.
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