An Iranian filmmaking duo has turned to Kickstarter with the aim of raising $50,000 in crowdfunding to launch their documentary on graffiti artists in Tehran.
Directed and produced by Zeinab Tabrizy and Paliz Khoshdel, "Mutiny of Colors" highlights the history of street art in Iran, connecting it to several revolutions while looking at the struggle of young graffiti artists trying to create art on the walls of modern-day Tehran. Although the artists say they are merely promoting messages of peace, love and human rights, they risk facing charges of "satanism and slogan writing against the nation" according to the Kickstarter page.
The film looks at the lives of five street artists, divided into four episodes. According to the Kickstarter page, every time these young Iranians go out to tag the walls of Tehran, they risk the possibility of disappearing forever. As a result, each of the artists wears masks or has their face completely blurred throughout the documentary.
Additionally, several of the artists featured in the film have since emigrated from Iran to the United States.
With the money raised through the crowdfunding campaign, Tabrizy and Koshdel plan on signing an international distribution contract. In dramatic fashion, which continues throughout their Kickstarter video appeal, the duo face-off against a shadowed interrogator who offers to buy the film for $100,000 to keep them silent. Without hesitation, they say they will distribute it with only $50,000.
So far, they have managed to raise nearly $10,000 with 10 days left in the campaign. It has been listed as a "Staff Pick" on the crowdfunding site, offering some extra attention to the fundraising effort. Check out the campaign page here and watch the film trailer below.