LOS ANGELES, CA — (MARKET WIRE) — September 01, 2006 — Iranian/American filmmaker Kayvan Mashayekh offers an alternative perspective to the “death and destruction” images so prevalent in today’s media.Armed with unbridled passion for the culturally rich stories passed down to him by his father, Mashayekh quit his law practice in Texas and devoted seven years to making his first film, “The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam.” In only 37 days of actual filming in five cities and three continents, this epic adventure was shot almost entirely on location in Ancient Iran (now Uzbekistan), where Director Mashayekh was able to utilize impressive settings and 1000-year old structures. The film played in U.S. Theaters in limited release in 14 Cities last year for nearly one year. It will launch its DVD amid a storm of controversy over the future of the Middle East. The PG rated film resonates extremely well with families and with “The Oprah Winfrey crowd,” women over the age of 35 with children.
The film is about a present day American boy of Persian descent whose dying brother relates the story of their family’s ancestor, the 11th Century Poet and Scientist, Omar Khayyam. As the story is told, the young boy realizes that his family history is fading. He becomes the keeper of that story and embarks on a quest to preserve the story for future generations.
“Omar Khayyam is a revered figure throughout the World, especially in the Middle East, because Khayyam was the father of the philosophy of reason above faith,” said Mashayekh. Mashayekh lost his own father to brain cancer 12 years ago, and wants the world to know there is more to Iran than what the media portrays. His film has raised over $181,000 for Children’s and Cancer charities in Texas, New York and London and he hopes to do more by “showing people that the dialogue of peace starts by giving to those most in need, absent ethnic divisions.”
“The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam” is an English language, epic feature film which was an Official Selection at the 2005 Moscow International Film Festival. This year, it has also received two prestigious International Awards for Best Directing and Costume Design from the World Academy of Art, Literature and Media. The film was also hailed by Mayor Bill White of Houston for its cultural value to the city. “Keeper Day” was officially proclaimed in a public ceremony at Houston’s City Hall on July 26th, 2005. Additional information, including a trailer and images can be accessed at the film’s official website, www.KeeperMovie.com
February 15th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
The film was beautiful and very moving. I just received the soundtrack and it is wonderful. I wish the selections were not so short. In particular the track 3 Omar Performed by Jahan Ghashghaei. His voice is haunting, but the selection is so short. Are there any other CD recordings of this remarkable singer available? He has a one-oe-a-kind voice. I am Armenian and Persion and this music touched my soul. Please let me know of other music by this gifted permormer.
Sincerely
Mark Spanjian