A Peace Corps Love Story Film: "I am the Water, You are the Sea"

Another Peace Corps Film!  I am the Water, You are the Sea

A Documentary project by Malachi Leopold ·

THE STORY
In 1977, a young Peace Corps volunteer named Alex stared out the dusty back window of a silver BMW.  As the car pulled away, he watched his secret Iranian lover, Ali, stand in the middle of the street, waving goodbye.  The car picked up speed, turned a corner, and Ali disappeared from sight.  Alex turned around, blinked, and stared at his hands, which had just moments before embraced the love of his life as they said goodbye.  When would their hands touch again?  Would they ever?  Through tears, he stared out the window, watching the city of Tehran speed by.  The Iranian revolution was drawing near, and he had no choice but to leave.  To leave the only man who had ever truly loved him.  His heart was breaking.

Directed by Malachi Leopold, I Am the Water, You Are the Sea tells the true story of two lovers: Alex, an American Peace Corps volunteer; and Ali, an Iranian Muslim.  As of this writing, the two have been separated for more than 33 years.

But this Fall – with your help – they will be reunited. I Am the Water, You Are the Sea will document their reunion, in addition to telling the epic true story of their forbidden love in Iran in the 60’s and 70’s.

We invite you to help us tell their incredible story, and inspire people around the world to believe that there is nothing that can keep us apart – not distance, not time, religion, politics, war, fear – nothing that can stand in the way of being who we truly are.  Nothing that can stand in the way of loving who, what, when, where and how we want.
FILMING
Filming is planned for Fall/Winter 2011, starting on the East Coast where Alex currently lives.  We will then accompany him to the location in the Middle East where he will reunite with Ali for the first time in over 33 years.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE FILM THEIR REUNION?
Well… as you can imagine, after 33 years, these two lovers have some catching up to do!  What we’ll be doing, as they spend quality time together, is producing the feature film based on their story.  We’re doing a feature film, too?  You bet!  The feature film will tell the story of their forbidden love in Iran during the 60’s and 70’s.  The final film, once released, will begin and end with the documentary of their reunion (funded by this kickstarter campaign!) – with the rest of the film telling the story of their life together in Iran, prior to their separation.

USE OF FUNDS
Funding from our kickstarter campaign will cover the cost of production by a small crew to travel and film the reunion on location in the U.S., and on location in the Middle East.  If we surpass our kickstarter fundraising goal, the proceeds will be used to pay a screenwriter to adapt their story for the feature film, in addition to continued filming of Alex and Ali as they navigate the process of bringing Ali to live with Alex in the U.S. 

SOCIAL ACTION
The social action campaign for “I am the Water, You are the Sea” will give viewers specific ways to learn more about gay rights, marriage equality, and American-Iranian relations;  join groups and organizations addressing the issues in the film; and to take actions leading to social change.