Run Raven Run
Despite a historical legacy that dealt the dark cards of slavery, holocaust and poverty, music has always been the winning hand for Gypsy survival. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the ghettos of Bucharest, Run Raven Run explores the resounding pain and pleasure that emanates from the unvanquished soul of Gypsy music.
Interview with Director/Producer Michael Rainin
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
To show a positive side to the Romani people, to bring some humanity back into our lives and to teach people about the history and music of The Roma!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Music lovers young and old love this film and its soundtrack!
The main protagonists are famous throughout Romania and the Balkans, expressing an alluring range of characters from zany humor to profound wisdom.
In a world where war and climate change have triggered massive human displacement, Gypsy clans serve as an example of perseverance and survival – enduring 1,000 years of migration from their original homelands in Rajasthan.
Any audience that participates in this Gypsy journey will enjoy a new understanding of art, history and music, that transcends stereotypes and cultivates compassion.
Inside access to this secretive and reclusive culture opens a new perspective on what it means to be a warmhearted planetary citizen.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Amazing feedback! Everyone seems to learn a great deal after watching our film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Distribution
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, buyers, film festival directors and journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Awards and worldwide distribution
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Racism against The Roma.
Would you like to add anything else?
The Roma musicians that I lived with were some of the most gracious people I have ever met, they let me live in their master bedrooms in their homes and are now lifelong friends.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The Last Living Hollywood African
When Jean-Michel Basquiat died at age 27 of a heroin overdose, the art world had already hoisted him to the pinnacle of genius. Many perceived him as an iconoclastic lone wolf clawing out a revolutionary new niche in contemporary art. But Basquiat was in fact, the avatar of a small army of underground writers, painters, musicians, DJ’s and dancers that took New York City by storm and transformed American culture.
Two high-ranking generals and compatriots in Basquiat’s art-damaged army were Rammellzee, and Toxic. Basquiat ordained this holy trinity the “Hollywood Africans” in a series of some of his most provocative paintings. While Basquiat and Rammellzee left behind an arsenal of weaponized artwork with their passing, Toxic continues to carry out the mission of their collective creative visions. Toxic is the last living Hollywood African.
Rammellzee with Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat with Toxic
Interview: February 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Run Raven Run
Despite a historical legacy that dealt the dark cards of slavery, holocaust and poverty, music has always been the winning hand for Gypsy survival. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the ghettos of Bucharest, Run Raven Run explores the resounding pain and pleasure that emanates from the unvanquished soul of Gypsy music.
Length: 1:41:00
Director: Michael Rainin
Producer: Michael Rainin
Writer: Douglas Thompson and Michael Rainin
About the writer, director and producer:
MICHAEL RAININ is a French/American Producer/Director/Writer who recently won a Clio award for producing the short documentary Revolution by Design: Spike Lee x Emory Douglas for Spike Lee’s film, Da Five Bloods. Michael’s feature documentary Run Raven Run had its world premiere at the 33rd International Girona Film Festival last year and won the Best Documentary award. Michael currently has many exciting films and projects in pre-production and development.
DOUGLAS THOMPSON is a Writer and Editor of feature documentary films. He has most recently completed an exclusive exploration of the life and times of superproducer and sports mogul Peter Guber for the Guber family. He also recently teamed up with Kwaku Alston to create Djimon Hounsou’s feature In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, shot primarily in West Africa, and collaborated with Michael Rainin on Run Raven Run, a documentary on Gypsy music currently screening at film festivals throughout the US, Europe and Asia.
Key cast: Ionitsa from Clejani , Viorica from Clejani, Michael Madsen
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors and buyers
Facebook: Michael Rainin
Twitter: @Rainpix
Instagram: @michaelrainin
Hashtags used: #lautari #runravenrun #gypsymusic #documentary
Website: rainpix.com
Other: YouTube
Made in association with: Rainpix, Inc. , Lautari Films, LLC.
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Hopefully everywhere soon!!!