The feature film World Premiere of “My Home Unknown” (WallyBird Productions)—following the journey of a woman living on the streets of Los Angeles with schizophrenia and her frantic search for home—is an Official Selection in Competition Features at Dances With Films, screening on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 7:15 p.m., at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres (6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California).
The social cause project stars Yaz Canli, also writer and producer, in her directorial debut, and enlists the support of Hollywood heavy hitters Lawrence Kasanoff (“Mortal Kombat” franchise) and Grammy and Oscar winner Jimmy Ienner as executive producers; and features music by Michael Lloyd of “Dirty Dancing” fame.
Canli says, “We have a global crisis on our hands. There are 100 million people experiencing homelessness in the world, yet, when was the last time you looked a person experiencing homelessness in the eye? We are all humans that breathe air, eat and sleep. We are all someone’s daughter, sibling or friend. We all have a name. It was this thought that inspired this film and our tagline, ‘Compassion begins when we don’t look away.’”
She adds, “We take a raw and unflinching look at one woman’s journey through a mental health crisis and how that affects her ability to find her home, and that is what has compelled so many high profile supporters to get behind this project. Everyone involved wants this film to be a catalyst that inspires change and understanding.”
“My Home Unknown” was filmed in the height of the pandemic, during quarantine times with a core of five dedicated crew members, all over the streets of Los Angeles, amidst the homelessness crisis.
The production had no budget throughout the entire process and was made by a 100% self-funded, passionate filmmakers caring about the cause of raising awareness for homelessness and mental illness. The cast consists of actors, as well as non-actors that brought authenticity to the story.
“My Home Unknown” is the first feature for filmmaker Yaz Canli, cinematographer Phillip Greenbaum, sound mixer/editor Miles Cooper, 1st Ad Liana Montemayor, and for WallyBird Productions, from producer and founder Diane Foster.
To help them complete this passion project, Canli and Foster got Hollywood Blockbuster-Action producer Lawrence Kasanoff (“Terminator 2,” “True Lies,” “Mortal Kombat”) to come on as Executive Producer—due to his passion and belief in the project and its subject matter.
Kasanoff in turn got his entire team—VFX, sound, editorial, the music geniuses behind “Dirty Dancing,” including Michael Lloyd—to work for just points, because he and everyone else are so supportive of the cause as well.
Canli comments, “This is unheard of in Hollywood.”
Kasanoff calls it “Film Impact Investing” and says, “I’m interested in impact investing—investing for profit and social responsibility—in filmmaking. When Yaz asked me to help with ‘My Home Unknown,’ I approached some of the wonderful crew I work with all the time, like our music supervisor from ‘Dirty Dancing,’ Michael Lloyd, and asked if they would work for no cash but gross points (impact invest). Everyone said ‘yes.’ So, this entire movie was financed for virtually no cash.”
He continues, “All the effects team in Nepal at Incessant Rain; Jimmy Ienner and I as Executive Producers; the post team at Arsenal and Threshold Studios; our editors; and so forth, worked for only backend and the cause. The idea is, we all hope the movie scores like ‘Coda’…but even if we make no money but positively impact how people view the homeless, we win. Maybe we discovered a new form of filmmaking: Impact Filmmaking.”
Because of the global unhoused crisis, which especially has harsh effects on women, the filmmakers felt it was paramount to deconstruct stigma around homelessness and mental illness, and rather, inspire compassion in their audience.
Since finishing the film, the filmmakers have built relationships with reputable non-profits working in the field of homelessness and mental health that endorse and support “My Home Unknown.” Partners include the Downtown Women’s Center, The United Way LA, The Mike Curb Foundation and the McLean Hospital.
For anyone inspired to take action and make a difference, one can volunteer or make a donation to these organizations. To get involved and donate please visit:
downtownwomenscenter.org/donate
Worldwide Rights for “My Home Unknown” are available. For tickets to the World Premiere, please visit: https://danceswithfilms.com/my-home-unknown
About “My Home Unknown”
After “Mina” (Yaz Canli), a gifted artist experiencing homelessness, loses the last thing she loves, her adorable dog “Burrito,” she is forced to battle through the downward spiraling journey of a mental health crisis to find HOME. Lost between fragments of her Muslim past and harsh realities of her present—from substance abuse and the loss of faith to abusive voices in her head—Mina must find a way to reconcile with deep grief and accept the kindness of others so she can start life anew. A raw and unflinching story of mental illness, life on the streets and the courage it takes to find a way home. “My Home Unknown” is the feature directorial debut of filmmaker and star, Yaz Canli, who is also writer and producer. Executive producers include Lawrence Kasanoff (“Mortal Kombat” franchise) and Grammy and Oscar winner Jimmy Ienner, and producer is Diane Foster, founder of WallyBird Productions. Music is by Michael Lloyd of “Dirty Dancing” fame.
TRAILER: https://youtu.be/j8tLZs7Av_w
Website: https://danceswithfilms.com/my-home-unknown/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhomeunknown
Media Contact:
Heather Burgett
310.633.4801
Source: DDIGITAL
Release ID: 649889
