By Humaira
As an Afghan Cultural Advisor for plays, TV and film productions for over 14 years I’ve worked on a variety of different productions set in Afghanistan. One of the challenges I face is finding trained Afghan actors with experience to play some of the roles and I’m often asked by Afghans “Why aren’t there any Afghan actors in this show?”
Well, this is our chance to get our community to get involved in finding the right actor for this short film written and directed by an Afghan artist, Sayed Mahdi.
Role breakdown and submission details are listed below. I appreciate your help in getting the word out about this film.
MAHDI ART PRODUCTION
presents
MINDFIELD
Short Film
SAG Deferred. Shooting In San Francisco (Spring 2023). We are a SAG deferred short film destined for film festivals. All travel, accommodations, and per diem will be per SAG. The shoot is currently planned to be six consecutive days in San Francisco, California, and surrounding areas.
Note: All Characters must be Afghan. Taliban must either have appropriate beards or be willing to grow them. Must sound like a native speaker of Dari (Afghan Farsi). The film will be shot in Dari and, where appropriate, Pashto. Auditions will be in Dari and English.
Director: Sayed Mahdi
Executive Producer: Jana Sue Memel – Three-time Academy Award winner (Chanticleer films)
Film Synopsis: Taliban zealots kidnap Mahdi, a young Shia Hazara Afghani, Tortured and held captive in a remote farmhouse; Mahdi is sentenced to death at dawn by a kangaroo religious court. He has only a few hours to convince his Taliban guard to help him escape.
Send all Submissions to Mindfield casting at castingtotran@gmail.com. Please include a resume, headshot and link to reels. We will reach out to set up sessions. All casting will be on zoom.
ROLES
1: Mahdi: Age: 17-25
Afghanistan (Hazara preferably)
Kidnapped off the street, imprisoned, and tortured, he is determined to escape before he is killed. Not terribly physically fit. Terrified and bewildered, unwilling to let go of his religious principles. He uses his wits to befriend his captor.
Language: Dari
2: Abdul Rahman:
A Taliban fighter, he has been stuck guarding Mahdi. He is an extremist Muslim who believes in what he is doing and that Mahdi is an infield who the world would be better without. Resentful of the perversion of his religion by the thugs he works with. His standing as a man of religion is called into question by Mahdi. At first, Abdul Rahamn resents the questions aimed at him but then comes to acknowledge that Mahdi is correct and risks his own liberty for Mahdi.
Language: Dari and Pashto.
3: Abdul Malik
A high-ranking Taliban soldier. A brutal bully, he is a hypocrite who uses his religion to justify his racism. He joined the Taliban to get ahead in life. He is ambitious and will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
Language: Dari, Pashto.
4: Abdul Rasheed:
Taliban Soldier. A follower. His goal is to satisfy his commanders. He hero-worships Abdul Malik and believes being allied with him will help him move up in the Taliban hierarchy.
Language: Dari, Pashto
5: Mawlawi Abdul Salam:
Scholar, and teacher at a Taliban religious school. He is an extremist and believes that everyone must think and believe the same as he does. If they don’t, they are impure. He is very sincere about his own version of Islam and trying to guide and teach people about it.
Language: Pashto, Dari.
6: Mawlawi Abdul Haq:
Late middle age Taliban Judge. He is an extremist and believes all people who don’t think like him are misguided and impure. He lost one of his eyes in a battle with the Americans. Therefore, he hates Americans and people who don’t hate Americans. He believes the earth must be cleansed of the impure. He is racist towards Shias and Hazarahs.
Language: Pashto, Dari.
7: Haji Najib:
Middle-aged owner of a telephone center. He’s all about business and wants to stay out of politics between his customers.
Language: Dari
8: Hadi:
Airline employee is very officious. He loves the power he has over people and uses it to collect bribes.
Language: Dari
9: Ahmad:
A very talkative and extremely nosey person. Ahmad is a simple person and completely harmless.
Language: Dari
10: Khalid
The judge’s bodyguard. Brutal. His goal is to protect his master no matter what. Doesn’t trust anyone around his Master.
Language: Dari. (only one line in Pashto)
Send all Submissions to Mindfield casting at castingtotran@gmail.com. Please include a resume, headshot and link to reels. We will reach out to set up sessions. All casting will be on zoom.