Us=Them
A gay Muslim man anonymously tells the story of his journey to self-acceptance in a world where his identities divide him.
While the media and many political figures like to pit Muslims and LGBTQ people against each other in today's divisive political climate, where does that leave people who belong to both of these groups?
Us = Them is a short documentary that explores the world through the eyes of a gay Muslim man, and the struggles he faces caught between these identities. Despite needing to conceal his identity for his safety, he is bravely telling his story to serve as a message of hope and solidarity to fellow Muslims in the LGBTQ community. FACEBOOK • TWITTER • TUMBLR |
Take a listen to this podcast with director Daniela Pinto, for more info of the Documentary, and her take on the such an enlightening yet controversial subject.
TVO Short Doc Contest Finalist!
We are excited to announce that our doc is currently a finalist (top 10) in the TVO Short Doc contest! Voting is currently underway for the People's Choice Award, and we would greatly appreciate your support! Click here to vote!
We are excited to announce that our doc is currently a finalist (top 10) in the TVO Short Doc contest! Voting is currently underway for the People's Choice Award, and we would greatly appreciate your support! Click here to vote!
The Team
Daniela Pinto | Writer & Co-Director
Daniela was originally studying to become a lawyer, but decided that being a filmmaker was a more powerful way of creating the kinds of social change she wanted to see in the world. In particular, she wants to see better representations of women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ people in film and television. Daniela's main skill sets are in music composition and post-production sound, and she's both nervous and excited to take on her first directing role.
Abigail Chan | Director of Photography
Abigail was born and raised in the Philippines until she came to Canada at age 9. She didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up, and switched future careers several times over the next 11 years. From wannabe astronaut to filmmaker, she now lives in Mississauga and pursues an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Film & Television at Sheridan College. Film has allowed her to express herself, and it makes her happy, sad, laugh, and cry. It constantly makes her rethink how she views the world, and for that she is grateful. She hopes Us = Them will bring joy and sadness, love, and empathy, because these emotions are what connect us to each other as human beings, regardless of who we are or what we believe in.
Josh Sousa | Location & Post Sound
In 27 years on this planet, there has always been one constant in Josh’s life. That constant is his passion for cinema! Whether it be an animated Disney film from his childhood days in Toronto, or a modern day classic like The Tree of Life, films have always captivated him. Though he didn’t always believe that a career in the film industry was a realistic goal, his dream eventually became too big to ignore, leaving behind his career in print media to learn from the professors in Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Film and Television program. With a newfound focus on all things sound related, Josh is currently absorbing all of the information that he possibly can from some of the leading names in the field. With said knowledge, he hopes to carve out a career in both location and post-production sound. His favourite sound work includes the TIE Fighter from Star Wars, the beam cannon from Independence Day and the creature noises from The Thing.
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Kyle Smith | Co-Director
Kyle is striving to create films that tell the stories of those who feel misrepresented. To do so, he is specializing in producing, directing, and writing in hopes of becoming a showrunner in the future.
Alysha Persaud | Assistant Camera
Alysha really enjoys travelling the world and long naps, but mostly watching movies. The Bachelor of Film & Television program has given her the opportunity to learn about the process of making films. Alysha really enjoys working with cameras, specifically the C300, to make documentaries.
Sophy Pollak | BTS & Transmedia
Sophy Pollak, 23 years old, has always had a passion for cinema and hard work, and looks forward to pursuing a career in filmmaking. Born in Toronto, Sophy was raised amongst a wide range of eclectic characters and artists, and was a victim of art school herself. Sophy took a few years after high school to travel, spending time in San Francisco, Cuba, and the Burning Man festival. She enthusiastically applies these experiences to her work as a film student, and hopes to create dynamic stories, forging the way for female filmmakers.
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Emily Rennie | Producer
Emily is a hardworking, creative individual with a passion for conceptualizing, planning, and making films happen. She not only enjoys producing, she can also be found in the editing suite. She is excited to be a part of Us = Them, and believes in the ability this documentary has to create positive social change within the LGBTQ and Muslim communities. She enjoys going to the theatre, photography, hiking, reading, and chats over coffee.
Arthur Zhu | Picture Editor
Arthur enjoys biking, going to galleries, playing video games, and reading comics, but above all else, he loves everything about films and cameras. He's interested in all kinds of cameras, from DSLR to film cameras. He likes to take photos for different cities that provide a different view of this city for audiences by using his cameras. He is also good at post-production, and likes to study various editing techniques and After Effects. Arthur believes good post-production skills can serve as a great aid for his photos and films.
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