# Call Transcript: The Baker **Date:** 2026-05-07 **Source email thread:** 19e01fcb3546bf86 **Source email subject:** Download transcript: Call: The Baker at 12:30pm - 1:00pm, Thursday, May 7, 2026 **Original attachment:** transcript-1.vtt **Raw VTT copy:** transcripts/2026-05-07_Call_The_Baker_transcript.vtt --- **Maroun NAJM [00:01:17.378]:** Hello. I'm good. I'm good. **Ronny [00:01:25.022]:** May I never would have thought you you look like this. You know, when you have somebody in your head, **Maroun NAJM [00:01:33.462]:** Well, I'm I'm not gonna ask. I'm not gonna ask. Go ahead **Ronny [00:01:35.505]:** Why not could you favorite it? **Maroun NAJM [00:01:37.340]:** Hi. Am and David were just I **Ronny [00:01:39.879]:** When... Where about in? **Maroun NAJM [00:01:42.564]:** Right now, I live in Bur **Ronny [00:01:44.169]:** Ob **Maroun NAJM [00:01:45.993]:** Yep. Yep. **Ronny [00:01:47.573]:** Very nice. **Maroun NAJM [00:01:47.902]:** You come often **Ronny [00:01:49.260]:** I do. I do. **Maroun NAJM [00:01:53.617]:** So like, where is the family from? Your North or Ro spain or it depends. Okay. **Ronny [00:02:00.661]:** Fog up North. Up North. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:02.151]:** Okay. Okay. Alright **Ronny [00:02:04.109]:** But originally they were former a ham sheet, **Maroun NAJM [00:02:05.719]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:02:06.199]:** But we're up from Z. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:09.040]:** Okay. Okay. Okay. I see. I see. **Ronny [00:02:12.637]:** Yeah. A little town called that he might. It's next to like Mi across The valley from Mi. Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:14.453]:** Okay. It's very nice there. That's so fucking nice there. **Ronny [00:02:19.242]:** Yeah. It's nice. It's... Oh, it's boring. It's boring. I prefer getting it. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:22.381]:** Boeing is good. **Ronny [00:02:23.396]:** Pardon? **Maroun NAJM [00:02:24.202]:** Boring is good. **Ronny [00:02:27.050]:** No, well, you know what? Now. Yeah. You know, considering. But my sister, because her husband was born in Lebanon, and he came to Australia in his early twenties **Maroun NAJM [00:02:38.686]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:02:40.710]:** and he's he's gonna build a house in in adding. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:44.676]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:02:48.395]:** So... Yeah, he's trying... You know, I he's was trying to build his house having, like, a little holiday thing for his boys. **Maroun NAJM [00:02:51.724]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:02:53.150]:** But I'm trying to get there I'm trying to get there off? Are you going to can? **Maroun NAJM [00:02:57.923]:** I am doing for. Yes. Going on Monday. **Ronny [00:03:02.137]:** Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'll see that I land Monday. You know how far is **Maroun NAJM [00:03:03.819]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:03:06.548]:** Yeah. Yeah. I get the at one thirty. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:09.714]:** One thirty in the morning? **Ronny [00:03:10.635]:** In afternoon. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:11.383]:** Or the **Ronny [00:03:12.062]:** Yeah. Afternoon. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:13.655]:** I I get at night. I'll I'll I'll arrive at night. **Ronny [00:03:14.835]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:15.497]:** Like, around eleven or something. **Ronny [00:03:17.382]:** Okay. Yeah. And not I'm trying to get eleven on afterwards. But I can't... My **Maroun NAJM [00:03:25.716]:** Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'll make it up a great night to come. **Ronny [00:03:27.652]:** I know. I know. But my mother is not well. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:29.698]:** Should. Okay. **Ronny [00:03:32.630]:** Modern... No. Good. My, mom. And if she finds out, I went to Lebanon, she knows I'm I'm crazy. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:37.538]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:03:38.367]:** Yeah. She's not all But, you know, because I spent a lot of time lebanon on. I shot a documentary there a few years ago. **Maroun NAJM [00:03:46.219]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:03:47.306]:** And my my best mate **Maroun NAJM [00:03:47.555]:** And what's what? **Ronny [00:03:52.110]:** I I... So I don't know if you heard of the documentary, and I wish I sort of met you along the way, but I didn't. Well, I I produced the documentary enough. Lebanon darkest hour. **Maroun NAJM [00:04:05.035]:** Okay. Okay. No I haven't seen it. **Ronny [00:04:05.044]:** I produced for that crazy **Maroun NAJM [00:04:05.712]:** I haven't until I haven't seen it, but, yeah. I I, like, I get the idea. **Ronny [00:04:11.337]:** John Sean Luca end up distributing it. **Maroun NAJM [00:04:13.623]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:04:15.255]:** Yeah. But I'm glad that chapters out of my life because it was It was hard. It was difficult working with a a journalist. Very very difficult. Very difficult. But I'm moving forward and So you know, Tracy wouldn't love to be on this call, but sheet **Maroun NAJM [00:04:39.032]:** Yeah. It's for trying ten **Ronny [00:04:40.570]:** Yeah. No. No. She's on So I'll give you in... Info just a bit of background on her. She's the biggest Film and television, p r, **Maroun NAJM [00:04:48.619]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:04:49.572]:** in Australia. She's the queen. **Maroun NAJM [00:04:51.156]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:04:54.577]:** But not only that's all the television shows they get made here, they get brought from other countries. She looks after movie, she has big clients. **Maroun NAJM [00:04:59.687]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:05:01.681]:** And she has Or, also big like, one of her guys is you know, Emi Sherman, the producer? **Maroun NAJM [00:05:08.533]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:05:08.608]:** He did the king's speech. **Maroun NAJM [00:05:10.447]:** Okay. Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:05:13.272]:** That's her client. So she looks after a lot of people And she looks after me and I'm like, what do you want for me? She goes nothing. I love your story. She goes, I love the story. You know, and I know this could be a beautiful film. She's she's with us. **Maroun NAJM [00:05:25.236]:** It it does it does. **Ronny [00:05:26.733]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:05:27.455]:** It does. I mean like As I said, as I said, like, when I look at the at the deck first. I, like, okay. I need, like, kind of I had some pre ideas about what it could be. And and then and then or the screen play I'm, like, the deck doesn't do it justice minute. **Ronny [00:05:45.861]:** Yeah. Yeah **Maroun NAJM [00:05:46.789]:** I I've **Ronny [00:05:49.651]:** yeah. It's hard. Do you know **Maroun NAJM [00:05:49.838]:** And and I agree with you honest name. **Ronny [00:05:52.251]:** Pardon, my my collaborator, he doesn't like doing this... He's an old man. **Maroun NAJM [00:05:57.068]:** Theft. **Ronny [00:06:00.510]:** He wrote the last two At max. And the one that's about to get shot they're gonna make an announcement. **Maroun NAJM [00:06:02.481]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:06:03.569]:** Soon. It's called the wasteland. So how that came about was he sort of had a few scripts in his he could have worked on him blah blah blah, but he Don't know why he chose my script. It was very infant, **Maroun NAJM [00:06:19.217]:** Is it? **Ronny [00:06:24.020]:** the total difference... Not a total different story. It was see the story that we're doing now This would have been part two. But **Maroun NAJM [00:06:29.292]:** Okay. I see. **Ronny [00:06:31.596]:** So corey that we first worked on, and we did about about fifteen twenty drops. Was morgan's God. About the Vincent character. You know, it was this young boy who wants to find out who's killed his father. **Maroun NAJM [00:06:49.779]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:06:50.370]:** So we we workshop... We we wrote that, and that was over a few years. And then He just said something to me one day. You guys running. I need you to trust me. You guys He's like Ronnie. I've been doing this for fifty five years older than you by long shot. Okay. I need you. **Maroun NAJM [00:07:03.879]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:07:04.464]:** To to me and and let's try and do the... Let's try and make Fred re the focus of this story. **Maroun NAJM [00:07:15.015]:** Okay **Ronny [00:07:18.892]:** Yeah. I, I would've have said no on any day. You know, that fiery lebanese thought their blood comes out because initially, wrote I wrote it like stall. I wanted to write a story that I wanted to act in it's very simple. I might here to to be you know, to fund needs... Only that bullshit, it's very simple. **Maroun NAJM [00:07:33.865]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:07:36.959]:** My philosophy of still is very simple. Right? But then I also learned how to write... Become a better writer with him. **Maroun NAJM [00:07:40.405]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:07:40.468]:** He taught me how to become a much better writer. And, you know, you... When you read it, you can see... I mean, it reads simple, but my god was hard to get it simple. Like that's the. **Maroun NAJM [00:07:53.136]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:07:54.147]:** The simplicity of it, you know? And he took it to another level. I cannot because he's old. He bought on that wise man approach. **Maroun NAJM [00:08:01.215]:** Yeah. Yeah. **Ronny [00:08:02.042]:** And and then also, We in Australia We always always, the lebanese here whenever they get represented on screen model, there always it's shit. It's a way. You know **Maroun NAJM [00:08:18.008]:** It's it's on as you It's etcetera... The the nigga is. **Ronny [00:08:19.008]:** and I was tired I repeat in television shows, where, as an actor where I I I'm like, this is not how they speak. **Maroun NAJM [00:08:31.254]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:08:34.116]:** Why why are these characters speaking like this? This is not what he would do. **Maroun NAJM [00:08:35.927]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:08:37.685]:** You know? So I think I decided, fuck it. I'm gonna write a story where we dictate what the character say we like Lebanese, we dictate. Not let other **Maroun NAJM [00:08:47.538]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:08:49.716]:** people told me how to write the story. And the reason why Nick gets gets what I'm doing is He's across the water. **Maroun NAJM [00:08:55.033]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:08:55.912]:** You know? So **Maroun NAJM [00:08:57.588]:** Okay. Okay. Okay. I. I see. I. **Ronny [00:09:01.390]:** I... We were constantly, You know, we spent months together. We live together. **Maroun NAJM [00:09:03.238]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:09:04.488]:** And we lift and, you know we. Is that someone come on? **Maroun NAJM [00:09:07.945]:** I think it's. **Aya [00:09:10.012]:** E **Ronny [00:09:10.630]:** Yeah. Well, I... You know, we're lifting together. In in order. Yeah. No. So we live together. We workshop workshop work soft workshop. And and here we are. **Maroun NAJM [00:09:21.922]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:09:23.312]:** So Hello? **Aya [00:09:30.049]:** I can hear you guys. **Ronny [00:09:31.537]:** Oh, I we can't see you. **Aya [00:09:34.991]:** Yeah. My camera is not on, but I can hear you guys. **Ronny [00:09:36.039]:** Oh, okay. **Maroun NAJM [00:09:36.323]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:09:41.047]:** So, you know, it it it's In terms of your notes, totally understandable. I understand. But So with I mean, how do you wanna do? You you go ahead lead it then. **Maroun NAJM [00:09:55.884]:** Okay. So **Ronny [00:09:55.928]:** Tell us tell us what you wanna go... Hey, you wanna go **Maroun NAJM [00:10:00.859]:** So like, I I I I **Ronny [00:10:02.257]:** eight **Maroun NAJM [00:10:02.750]:** I totally get where you're coming from. I even, like, a lot of the references like, even when it comes to Australia, Like, I have my uncle in Australia that I've never met that he's kind of x. We don't know what he did. Right? No one's supposed to talk about him. Right? I have this. It's in my family. **Ronny [00:10:17.868]:** Who's your control. **Maroun NAJM [00:10:17.954]:** Right? And the other part of the family is **Ronny [00:10:19.858]:** Is in sydney Melbourne **Maroun NAJM [00:10:20.094]:** in **Ronny [00:10:21.731]:** This Mike Phone call. Okay. **Maroun NAJM [00:10:30.024]:** He's old. He's supposed to be, like, eighty now or something Yeah, eighty five. He's still alive as far as I know. Yeah, I'm not supposed to ask about guys. Why is he not never hear didn't come back to his, you know mom's or or or or or or or dad's, funeral literally, nothing. Right? Completely got off. And and then, like, kind of I I have this. So I'm also from Mexican so, you know, lebanese sephora, So my family is in Mexico not in Mexico. In the country, But, you know, it's in, pipe They're into agriculture, **Ronny [00:10:57.777]:** Mh. Yep. **Maroun NAJM [00:11:01.604]:** So I get it. Like, the whole thing is you cream But then... But... And and I like, I I I already enjoyed it. But then what what do we talk about? Okay. So how how are we gonna proceed with that? So I'm gonna start with a budget because that's the the first question, like, everyone's going to ask, for everyone's going to it's gotta be a first filter, and I don't want it to be a filter. Right. Because reading the screen like, I understand why you need ten million, maybe you need more. Price will be **Ronny [00:11:31.091]:** Yeah. Hold on Hold on. So I just say that budget was done off a different script. Where there was a lot more it was even bigger. We we brought it down. I... I'm convinced that I can bring the budget down. **Maroun NAJM [00:11:41.477]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:11:42.736]:** Alright? But if somebody seemed to me, hey, he's ten million I'm not gonna say, no. Do you know what I mean? But I'm trying to work Well, I I just have to give it to a scheduler. **Maroun NAJM [00:11:50.223]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:11:50.330]:** And then someone to budget it. Just for the Australian component. **Maroun NAJM [00:11:56.268]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:11:56.395]:** Right? The Lebanese component I don't know prices and stuff how it works, but that's the part that I I would assume and I would help out. Correct? **Maroun NAJM [00:12:08.403]:** Okay. I mean, anybody new sport is like, very well, it's a very well all in sheen. Like, you gonna get great services at great prices. **Ronny [00:12:15.609]:** E n **Maroun NAJM [00:12:17.547]:** I'm not worried about it. This this weekend fix. And they we don't do a lot of feature films, but we do a lot of Tv. And we do a lot of, you know, commercials So it's, like, the level of professionals you'll find here, you you'll you'll be established. Actually, give the documentary. So I, like, you you have you have freedom. **Ronny [00:12:34.012]:** Yeah. What. Oh, I mean, Had I had to wake up the crew every morning, But... Yeah. Because I I with get up. And no problem. No but. It's like on that because it it'll go back to the, the last question in in your he's like with the, government grants. **Maroun NAJM [00:12:49.084]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:12:52.832]:** In order for us, in order for us, and Tracy sort of dictated what that that part. That's more or less her part what I do know just from the documentaries is, the more Australian talent, which is it's filled of Australian talent. Right? **Maroun NAJM [00:13:05.194]:** Yep. Yeah. **Ronny [00:13:07.578]:** The the better for us. Right? And it brings on other people It's still everyone that is c. Is what they call c. **Maroun NAJM [00:13:11.917]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:13:13.154]:** Right. **Maroun NAJM [00:13:13.662]:** Okay. Bit. **Ronny [00:13:14.687]:** Go ahead. **Maroun NAJM [00:13:17.647]:** But but let's like, what's the threshold? Because **Ronny [00:13:20.977]:** Producer of say is forty percent. **Maroun NAJM [00:13:24.278]:** but how and how many, you know, talents or how much **Ronny [00:13:29.088]:** Yeah. Yeah yeah Yeah. I think **Maroun NAJM [00:13:29.161]:** has to be spent into Australia for you to qualify them. **Ronny [00:13:31.087]:** I think it's I I think **Aya [00:13:39.631]:** So, basically, for the c production between Australia and the arab of other like, any other countries that we would include it's on either points or percentage base, And that will be off of the overall budget that we're gonna be able to secure. In order for us to secure the Australian part of the fund will need x number of dollars, and equity or from public funds that will come from any other part of the world, and strategy files strategy wise from a financing perspective because we know we can have the thirty percent **Ronny [00:14:09.822]:** Four **Aya [00:14:11.863]:** financing from Australia. The idea here is to... Sorry. **Ronny [00:14:12.868]:** forty **Aya [00:14:17.534]:** Yes. Forty two. The idea here is try and look as much as we can, the rest of the budget From either equity or public funds from the rest of the world. **Maroun NAJM [00:14:26.766]:** Yes. **Aya [00:14:26.907]:** I do need to **Maroun NAJM [00:14:29.607]:** My question **Aya [00:14:30.900]:** Ideally, this would come **Maroun NAJM [00:14:30.933]:** Yeah. Go ahead Go. **Aya [00:14:32.908]:** from, basically, any coke production treaties Australia currently has with the rest of the world, but at the same time, maximizing on tenant that's can come and put an equity and also maximizing on the region and where the audience speaks the most about the talent that we want to attach to the phone. So in order for this to be maximized advisable, from the perspective of an audience for it to be sent, but also for us to be able to bring in as much... As much revenue as we can and we can expect. One of the ways to go about it is to go for accessible cast, which I think in the preliminary cast suggestions that are presented deck, whether it's Daniel and, but these are quite accessible people that we can have from the region. And we know it will sell, and people know them. They're accessible. They're are known. They're you know, available, whether an in series or films. So There's been touring around a lot. Now where the budget for Me gets reduced is not just the lebanese part because the Lebanon part in the film is not where most of the film is basically happening. The the bulk of the production is not lebanon. That bulk of the production is in Australia. So in order for this to also be incentivized enough Four people coming in from the region and putting in their money, it also needs to be substantial enough for them to feel like, okay. Putting an x money, when do I recoup at what point? You know, how can we expect that strategy to unfold altogether so that from a distribution ten points to the production to how we're gonna go and raise these funds people actually feel like this is a realistic project. **Maroun NAJM [00:16:24.983]:** Yes. Let's **Aya [00:16:25.415]:** It's not just the appeal to it or not. For me, the way **Maroun NAJM [00:16:32.029]:** Go ahead. I finish finished. Just... I'll... Because I I want to, like, good guy, Finish And. **Aya [00:16:36.073]:** No, sure. Go ahead. **Maroun NAJM [00:16:40.616]:** Just we will get to the audience and and who the core audience is and, like, where can we realistically, you know, have interest, pre sales and and, you know, distribution deals. But I'm I'm, I want to go one step back and I really need to understand like, then the Australian incentive because, I mean, forty percent, what exactly is cash from that. Okay? What exactly is included? What is not included? Because this is gonna be the first center with any producer we're got to have a discussion Right? It's not gonna be the creative, it's not gonna be an idea. This is like, the the the screen play is how is gotta be how we close. The budget is gonna be how we're gonna start discussion right? Okay? So this is why I want to start that. I want to clear this understand exactly what are we pitching? For most, it's gonna be a buzz. Okay. Exactly Like You said, Aya, how can I make money out of this? Right. Right. It is a big budget. Right? We're we're without we're not a small and film here. So like, Ronnie, I don't know if, like, you you have the full details or if there's somebody that's that's done this before because I I don't know how it works Australia exactly. **Aya [00:17:49.729]:** So I've **Maroun NAJM [00:17:49.920]:** But I've done this before **Aya [00:17:55.056]:** I've already produced a film in Australia that had an arab **Maroun NAJM [00:17:57.291]:** Okay. **Aya [00:17:59.319]:** trend attached to it with how c production functions in a trailer. That's how we're trying to build the best strategy, and I can off call if you want, let you know how that film went. What happened? I know that the producer attached from Australia is also one of Tracy you know, good friends from the industry. And I can tell you the backstory of thought. Where to me in order for us to really access what we need. And to this is I'll download offline, of course that you know, c production scheme of what and how Australia functions so that you can better understand that. But right now, what I'm actually trying to get to, which I think we need to is cans coming up There is a lot of meetings that we'd love to set up and to put together. And for that to happen, I would like for us to try and understand roughly. What are the numbers that we can pack. Regardless this now of which part is Australian, which part is from the region. With the appeal of what you've read from the script, but also the understanding of who could potentially come and be attached to the project. I just want a rough estimation that we can either compare or have conversations with so that's we a hold credibility when discussing the project with potential partners that we can have. The previous production you know, the Australian project that I've I've I've come on board. I've come on board at a very late stage of the of the entire production. Like, we... Like, the arab parts of the money came in last. And we were two arab partners to put in that financing so that we can close the budget of the film. Most of the film was done with French money and Australian money because of the **Maroun NAJM [00:19:49.285]:** Yes. **Aya [00:19:50.384]:** traumatized ties with the cop production treaties. But right now, we're also expanding more into the region. So Fa abu to you who you who runs right now the at Sea and festival. Was the first one to establish this. Sorry. Was the first one to establish a partnership between Australia and, Saudi Arabia to have an engagement between both countries and to try and see where that could you know, develop and elaborate. There are talks of c production treaties, but nothing has really been signed and there are changed a few screenings that happened. And I know that the lady that basic three once that kind of exchange only the was in touch with. Was supposed to meet her she was ill that didn't have **Ronny [00:20:33.906]:** Yeah. Yeah. She's had an operation. Is that hood? So **Aya [00:20:34.520]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:20:36.796]:** is she... So it's official that she's part of that. **Aya [00:20:39.526]:** Yeah. Yeah. I'm I know I know she is office... I noticed she's part of that. Yeah. But... So **Ronny [00:20:45.848]:** No. It's... That's what I'm asking. So she's officially part of it. Yeah? **Aya [00:20:49.797]:** Yeah. Yeah. I think so because I I dig different to the saudi parts of it and it it was basically the current red from festival director that basically initiated this because he lived in, **Ronny [00:21:01.337]:** Australia. **Aya [00:21:06.614]:** In Australia for a while, and he was pretty much interested in the scheme. So that's why Saudi Arabia has been, you know, the the first country to exchange, on on that note. Now adding more to that, depending on the appeal of the film and how big the film is and who ends up you know, joining forces on this. Dubai could be an interest for us, but I know right now. Dubai is not putting in any money into films. Their trying to build an entire infrastructure where potentially can come back and exist within the premise of what it is that they're doing. But the Dubai phone commissioner is someone that we can meet while we're actually gonna be there at potentially pitch him the project, even though he confirmed to me right now, there's no money to be spent or to be put anywhere. Now in addition to this, the film is attending can, I don't know how open they're basically going to be to consider a film like this, maybe locally from do we can later on speak to them? I know my one has established contacts with, media yesterday. As a, you know, as as an entity, but not specifically the film commission. So we have ties to the phone commission because they organize programs with us during the festival. And one of their team members is a executive producer at Studios. So there's a lot from the film that we can get in terms of in kind, done and delivered from here, whether it's free money that's, you know, in terms of services that's puts in into the project, and it could also be equity money that we end up getting from, the film commission. The only I I don't think it's gonna be, like, just the only, but one of the most prominent animal with the film commission. One is going to be who are the big cast that are actually gonna be tied to the scripts and the film And eventually, the, you know, the bigger the names, the better it's going to be And I know... Like, right now, there are two films in can in the main company with very big names that they're scouting for to puts in their money. Even though we actually heard that they've halted some of the productions from the in order for them to to give them a bit of cash and to upload some of some of these projects. So there's a lot happening. There's a lot that we can maximize on. Same goes to what I had mentioned earlier if Daniela comes in. Any anyone of these actors come in. Like, it's also good to incentivize them with, like, a part of equity so that they feel like, oh, I have, you know, a little bit more of a say in the film. I could be an executive producer, but also an app sir, you know, following the same strategy of how eventually the actors directors, but are also executive producers on some of their own films. Especially when, you know, they're attached to them. And I think maximizing on all these difference trends, basically, from the region, but also in Australia, One helps us lock part of the budget, which is, I think exactly what we want to go with. And at the same time, reassure people that Whatever x amount we end up you know, securing **Ronny [00:24:26.851]:** Hundred percent. **Aya [00:24:28.063]:** Australia will back us up with the forty percent. What **Ronny [00:24:29.009]:** Yeah. **Aya [00:24:31.080]:** what we're sure of right now is that forty percent, And that's like, the the guaranteed option that we have here. So it's a win win situation. If we end up maximizing and, you know, talking to the right people at the right time. **Ronny [00:24:43.730]:** Yeah. Yeah. **Aya [00:24:48.034]:** And really getting them exactly what we need out there. So the reason I wanted us all to connect on this call, and I know we're running out of time is one I want us to kind of, like, we work a little bit, the content that's on the deck right now because, like, my one said, and I've discussed this a little bit with him. Deduct needs to be reworked so that you know, it's it give justice to to the script in a assertive of way, but for it to also be appealing from an industry standpoint as to what and how we're actually addressing people. And with what because we're gonna have to do a lot of, you know, follow up emails after these meetings are held they're done, and there's a lot that we can consider. There are also other cop production treaties that know, we can explore within the territory of Australia, or the partners of Australia on different other films, which I think would not heard for us to really you know, go into meet people, introduce yourself There are definitely people to avoid working with. But it doesn't hurt to put the words out there. Now the moment we're out there, and we're discussing and talking you know, about the film. We Can't really lose momentum on it. A lot of times, a lot of films take ages to be made, and we all know that. But realistically also on the grounds with everything going on. We just need to maximize, like, all the different assets needed, for this to happen. So, yeah, that's basically what I have to say. **Ronny [00:26:16.351]:** Okay. Come you should be a public speaker. Because you you said it so eloquently. **Aya [00:26:26.009]:** Thank you. **Ronny [00:26:28.768]:** Yeah. Look, I've sent I just be assured. Because it's Australian Ip. Right? There's writers, actors as, directors, talent, camera lighting sound, that we're... That's straight away forty percent. No problem. It's no problem **Maroun NAJM [00:26:49.181]:** Okay. And there's no copy... And there's no, like, a hard cap on the it's twenty percent the with the budget **Ronny [00:26:56.969]:** Yeah. Like, you know, I mean, George Miller, I made Mad Max **Maroun NAJM [00:26:59.827]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:27:00.127]:** and they took three hundred million of the bastards, and they got forty percent for it do you know how to rain? Yes. Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:27:03.887]:** Okay. I'll just double. No no. I we I agree that it is significantly is Australia. This is is the. **Ronny [00:27:08.156]:** Of course what I did was I **Maroun NAJM [00:27:08.586]:** Yeah. Yeah. And **Ronny [00:27:13.371]:** I just sent you whatsapp recording of Tracy talking about it. To. I sent it to you. **Maroun NAJM [00:27:15.628]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:27:17.097]:** Okay? **Maroun NAJM [00:27:17.624]:** Okay. I'm on. **Ronny [00:27:19.252]:** Alright. Let let's just go because I don't know I hasn't got much time. Let's go to the point... Let's go to your point one. Right? **Maroun NAJM [00:27:25.143]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:27:27.688]:** Alright. What was the question? Because I in in twenty one, **Maroun NAJM [00:27:32.226]:** Okay. So the question is about kind of the core audience And, I'd like to define the core orders in a in a very narrow way. **Ronny [00:27:42.263]:** Okay. Well, **Maroun NAJM [00:27:42.870]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:27:45.647]:** So core the core audience, the. **Maroun NAJM [00:27:45.738]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:27:46.589]:** Like, I don't like using it against, but I have to because of Anglo, **Maroun NAJM [00:27:55.803]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:27:58.269]:** countries. America, Canada, England, Australia, We're Anglo Saxon country countries. Okay? **Maroun NAJM [00:27:59.549]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:28:01.689]:** And I Use the Godfather as an example. **Maroun NAJM [00:28:03.204]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:28:06.716]:** When they made the guy, the Italians jumped. **Maroun NAJM [00:28:09.581]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:28:09.830]:** We can't watch this no way. This is not all of a talent, but italians flocked to the cinemas **Maroun NAJM [00:28:11.925]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:28:11.952]:** So let's say ask. Lebanese dia. The the core audience is the Lebanese to ask because how many of the lebanese are burst out around the world. **Maroun NAJM [00:28:23.063]:** Yes. Yes. **Ronny [00:28:23.107]:** Ten twelve million. Okay? **Maroun NAJM [00:28:24.580]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:28:25.847]:** Now Now then there's also... On top of that, there's also placement of other ethnic countries, Turkish, **Maroun NAJM [00:28:33.548]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:28:37.631]:** you know, Afghan, you... It's it's anyone who's been misplaced. You know? **Maroun NAJM [00:28:39.834]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:28:43.778]:** So even even Tracy said demi me, Ronnie, my my parents are Scottish. We had to we had to **Maroun NAJM [00:28:45.504]:** Yep. Yep. **Ronny [00:28:50.376]:** Scotland. You know? So how we're gonna phrase that, something that... I don't know collect we have to work on, but it's to any person that as being misplaced. That's who it's for. Anybody. **Maroun NAJM [00:29:02.737]:** Okay. And I'd like I'd like to pinpoint it this further very quickly. Right? Because for me, like, the core audience is or I like to different define it by people that not only are going to enjoy the movie, gonna watch the movie. That's that's not a cool audience for me. The quote audience other the people are gonna kind of, drag other people to watch the movie with them. **Ronny [00:29:24.547]:** Yes. **Maroun NAJM [00:29:24.970]:** Right. If the people are gonna be activated in a way, that, okay. I read about the movie. Because I'm part of x and y circle, and that I'm gonna be the one that's gonna bring whole family with me to watch theaters. Right? And and these tend to be, you know, it's it's like five percent of the of the dashboard. Right? It's it's not it's not the whole last for. This could be five percent of ada four that that you want to target. And it has you know, maybe specific emotional triggers. Is that, you know, is it is it is it Billy. Right? It's the arch archetype of Billy. Is Billy when he sees himself in the film or hears about it in in a trainer. Is he gonna be, like, this is me? Is he gotta talk about it? I don't know. Like I'm not sure. Is it gonna be, you know, it's gonna be a specific scene that's gonna trigger these people. Right? So I'm I'm kind of trying... And, I'm I know we're not gonna get an answer, maybe **Ronny [00:30:19.294]:** Hi. Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:30:21.989]:** right away, and it's gonna be something that work in progress. But but I'm... That's kind of the direction, and I want to think about that. Right? So I'm I'm I'm packaging. Right? I'm not touching the creative, but Not gonna touch any **Ronny [00:30:29.252]:** Which **Maroun NAJM [00:30:33.290]:** purely a packaging exercise. Right? How how how are we gonna we gonna present? I'm gonna say, okay. We're gonna have these, you know, five percent of Lebanese Dia. Are they're gonna be so activated by this film. That's gonna make x worldwide. Right? That's kind of my direction here. And how I'm going to have discussion with potential juice. And Have them have explain how I'm gonna reach them. Right? So I'm I'm making a a it's a small pool. Right? **Ronny [00:30:57.809]:** it's **Maroun NAJM [00:30:58.271]:** But I have to be very, you know, credible and and straightforward. And how I'm going to reach them and activate them. So... And when I do this exercise, I'm having discussion with you So, like, I don't go script. I don't go up message. Like, I really need to understand read it what the vision driving all of this. Okay. So we can, try. I I don't go script. Right? And going back to... Okay. You're saying Anglo saxon, I agree. Agree that this is kind of a global project, which kind of makes me question Okay. So what is the main component of it? Because Mean as the for this film, is is not, like, I'm not convinced it can do much. Bye? Yeah. Like, I might be... I might be wrong. Right? It's I hope I'm wrong. But you know, I can see, you know, the comm and the the the the pulp scene and, you know, the the and, like, I I I don't know I don't know if that's something we gonna release logically inside. White? **Ronny [00:31:58.200]:** Is that because of Is that because of like their laws and stuff. **Aya [00:32:04.872]:** No. It's just **Ronny [00:32:08.018]:** I Yeah. Yeah. Okay. **Maroun NAJM [00:32:08.478]:** It's relevant and it's it's. Right? So I think at Effects you know, with blood and the water. It's it's something fairly relevant. Right? It's something to speak **Aya [00:32:18.321]:** sensors censorship over here in the region and how it works. **Maroun NAJM [00:32:20.084]:** Right? And so so it **Aya [00:32:20.435]:** Guys. **Maroun NAJM [00:32:21.107]:** Yes. **Aya [00:32:23.763]:** I'm sorry. **Maroun NAJM [00:32:27.796]:** Okay. **Aya [00:32:28.756]:** I have to jump on another call that I have. I only had thirty minute in between my break, but just to add about this, like, the sensitivities is when it comes to you know, certain scenes and certain elements, we can look into them basically, advanced once we figure out how the money is coming in **Maroun NAJM [00:32:45.743]:** Yes. **Aya [00:32:46.826]:** and where is coming in from? Dubai, for instance, increased their their ratings to be able to include firms and not sensor them. So then it depends on the rating of the film. I'm not saying that some **Maroun NAJM [00:33:02.632]:** But but I I have I really have one question for you. Like, did you... Like, in in in your experience because we have, you know different experiences when it comes to that. Will will money come from the region if there is no you know, secured **Aya [00:33:16.994]:** thank you **Maroun NAJM [00:33:18.889]:** theatrical distribution in the region Like do you think it's they're related or not? In Opinion **Aya [00:33:26.575]:** Sorry. Can you ask that question again? **Maroun NAJM [00:33:29.698]:** you considering about trading money from the region. On this, if we cannot secure distribution in the region. When I say distribution, it it covers, you know, Egypt, Saudi, I mean, Your e is other the market. Right? But, like, the the real markets would be kind of Egypt so And Iraq. Maybe serial down the line. These are the real markets Jordan on unlock markets. At least not not. So I'm just trying to understand. In your in your view, gonna go and pitch this to mean a a producers or financier years. The house distribution in Nina, where... Are are you looking at the global distribution or no? Our distribution is important for you. **Aya [00:34:13.938]:** It is important, of course, because for these people that are gonna come and put and the money from the Men, it's gonna matter to them, who's gonna see the film, how and what's your stencils now. I can have another pass of the film and flag Any content that I might **Maroun NAJM [00:34:27.122]:** Then that will be very helpful. **Aya [00:34:29.549]:** find a bit problematic for people. But that... That's not just the essence of it. There are always ways to go around thing. Like, the moment thing... For me, right now, the best strategy is to figure out one how the money is gonna come in from who and who will put in that money. That's actually very very important. **Maroun NAJM [00:34:45.591]:** Yep. **Aya [00:34:47.723]:** And another aspect for that too is understanding in terms of expectations, let's say it's a film that's, you know, I mean, right now, what I can tell you is that one, it's accessible two, it has cast that will be able to sell three, it's meant to be a story of a Genre that's most of the time is accessible to the people in the region. Like, anything that's genre related to harder thriller, and you know, something that's a beat will always have a a more attractive audience to go and watch these, then know, doing a drama film that you know, even with a big casket kit **Maroun NAJM [00:35:25.514]:** But but also forget it's in English. **Ronny [00:35:29.090]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:35:29.487]:** Yep. **Aya [00:35:29.903]:** Yes. I'm not forgetting that, but it's also **Ronny [00:35:32.870]:** Net. **Aya [00:35:33.866]:** like, it it can work. But there's also and Like ports where you know, in the lebanon on parts hill, you'll hear a lot of Arabic, and it also. **Ronny [00:35:41.627]:** All Arabic. **Aya [00:35:43.333]:** Like, there's a crossover that you will see between actors, like, I discovered right this morning for I came across iraqi actor, that's on a prime video series. Who's brilliant, literally. Like, his acting is amazing, great skills, and I'm like, we should be considering him. Like, I'm sure this is something he's gonna, you know, enjoy and and, like, he's on a period piece war kind of, like series that I personally have I've never watched because I've never on prime, for Disney watching content. But I thought like, that could be someone else that we can consider. He's got a great following. He's originally Iraqi, Like, he can drive that traffic for us, which means you lock in these names, potentially, you can go and find some money from that region. But that film institute is trying to kind of copy what we do a D, so I know there's a bit of money in Baghdad. Some people are trying to pick it up you know, in terms of world of Cinema. So there are different strategies that we can, you know, cater and put here. What... Because guys I really need to leave. I'm sorry. **Maroun NAJM [00:36:47.662]:** This is go ahead. Go ahead. **Aya [00:36:51.661]:** What I what I wanna ask is just You guys can continue talking and discussing. We'll work over the weekend on a deck, a strategy, and we'll set up all the possible meeting that we can so that we can pave the way for these people. What I really expect here of us is to be flexible enough to manage the conversation depending on the people we have front of us and who it is that we're actually talking with so that we can Hundred percent maximize all odds in our favor on this film. Basically, that's what I want to try and say, and any case, Lebanon is not an option realistically where we can go and shoot to can always re that part, and Jordan, with... You know, like, I I was sent a film two days ago that has one of the, you know, top growing the... Sorry Titanium actress who spoke fluently Lebanese accents and thought that film in in Lebanon, which is great. So there is talent there is potentially. We just really need to look at who what and in what circumstances. And I just wanna end a note saying and know, definitely, this film is not a ten million film for me. The film that we did, previously, in Australia was at a two point five, I think, mills, but I I think we can reduce it slightly. One to guarantee, of course, what we can get you know, in terms of expectations. But at the same time, I'm also not saying that's a big budget, but we can also be extremely realistic. Like, I get it's expensive. I get you know, we're gonna be spending so much money, but there's a lot of ways where we can come in and also reconsider things without compromising quality, value, and are, you know, offering on on the film. **Ronny [00:38:39.229]:** Alright. **Aya [00:38:39.294]:** I'm sorry, guys. I have to leave because I have another meeting. I'm already late to that. But you guys can continue talking. Ron, I'll catch up with you later. I wouldn't feel free to reach out also later today in case you have more questions. But for me, you know, like, and think in the next two days, I really wanna lock are way moving forward and how we go united possibly with you know, Vi. That will help us get where we want and to maximize can, basically. That's what I wanted to say. **Maroun NAJM [00:39:12.697]:** Okay. Okay. Go ahead **Aya [00:39:15.237]:** Okay. Thank you guys. **Ronny [00:39:16.031]:** Bye. Thanks. **Maroun NAJM [00:39:18.131]:** you receive a, like a transcript of of the discussion by email, what once we're done as well? So you'll have the phone **Aya [00:39:23.388]:** Sure. **Maroun NAJM [00:39:23.981]:** picture. **Aya [00:39:25.903]:** Thank you. Bye. **Ronny [00:39:26.376]:** Hi. **Maroun NAJM [00:39:27.972]:** Right. My. **Ronny [00:39:30.135]:** Alright. So look, I **Maroun NAJM [00:39:30.210]:** Alright. **Ronny [00:39:35.085]:** I think what we should do. Right, is, Let's just get the deck right. Right. How you feel you know, let's get it right. So then because I got a hand it to a designer. To get it right. **Maroun NAJM [00:39:43.613]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:39:46.346]:** So then when we get to come, Right. But, you know, Mo, I didn't ask you, like percy you produce your your sales agent or **Maroun NAJM [00:39:59.096]:** So no my back the distribution. **Ronny [00:40:00.212]:** Distribution **Maroun NAJM [00:40:00.775]:** Right? So... I've done this in in the region abroad, for about fifteen years. **Ronny [00:40:05.706]:** Oh, wow. **Maroun NAJM [00:40:09.742]:** So, like, my my... What I'm adding here to the table is an which I think why I reached out is, I'm kind of the guy that's gonna go and proves the economics of a firm with an audience. **Ronny [00:40:19.208]:** Okay. Beautiful. **Maroun NAJM [00:40:23.077]:** And and that's... So the idea is it doesn't matter if the bottle is hundred million or or or or a million. Right? If if it's a ten million and I can prove, I can, you know, do pre sales at twelve, a good house. Right? Okay. How can I do please sell hold at twelve million? That's that's kind of the million dollar question. And this is where it really comes to details and kind of, trying to, you know, prove to a producer or a c producer a network a broadcaster. Whatever it is, that they're gonna get their one course. Right? So I only do very commercial. I... Like, I don't touch festivals. I don't... I'm I'm a market guy. **Ronny [00:40:54.116]:** Right. **Maroun NAJM [00:40:58.209]:** Right? So, that's kinda very, very far from what Iodine. **Ronny [00:41:03.514]:** Yeah. We'll check credit **Maroun NAJM [00:41:03.639]:** But but they're kind of complimentary in in this case. Just to keep things further. **Ronny [00:41:06.829]:** To credit, she told me about you straight away. Because I just called her. I friends with one of my friends. She goes to his bar in Beirut. **Maroun NAJM [00:41:14.864]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:41:18.868]:** She goes to Da he's got a coffee shop Sip, **Maroun NAJM [00:41:23.148]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:41:23.181]:** Gym. He's my best friend. **Maroun NAJM [00:41:24.751]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:41:27.410]:** And he's got a bar and then he told, I made this very interesting girl. You should reach out to an Did, and we started talk **Maroun NAJM [00:41:30.574]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:41:32.708]:** and we've been talking now since what. That Christmas, January, **Maroun NAJM [00:41:36.791]:** Okay. Okay. Okay? **Ronny [00:41:39.525]:** she's like there's one guy? She only spoke... She goes there's only one guy that fucking works for the film, like Isa he really works four for it, like for sunday and he does it from his heart, and she was talking about you. So I'm... Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:41:55.361]:** Can That that's that's very kind of... That's very kind of it. **Ronny [00:41:59.827]:** Tell Ban this biz this side of the business, Like, it gives me, like. I start going like this Even though my lebanese grain, the brain is here, and I can talk economics blah other my that that much. Tracy is more in doubt on that. **Maroun NAJM [00:42:16.288]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:42:16.431]:** But for me, For me, I know if I if I just get because I've I thought this every way anyone can think of it. **Maroun NAJM [00:42:26.670]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:42:28.031]:** I've been working on this for over fifteen years. Have it **Maroun NAJM [00:42:29.590]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:42:29.833]:** and I know that I've... Fire asked five said this actor. Why have I chose this actor? There's always a method to the madness. **Maroun NAJM [00:42:38.907]:** Yes. Yes. **Ronny [00:42:41.608]:** Muscle an easy easy example. Daniel Okay? **Maroun NAJM [00:42:42.992]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:42:45.870]:** I reached out to a agent. Her manager. Who agent loved the script. **Maroun NAJM [00:42:52.748]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:42:54.392]:** Okay. Now I'm looking at Danielle. Okay. Now. Looking at it from a commercial point of view. I didn't know that she's got four million followers. It's ridiculous. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:04.098]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:43:05.496]:** You know, she's big in the Middle East, then her manager told me that they changed, between us to, they changed a, television series from a male character, to female character, and Netflix said, if you put her at female, we'll we'll do this. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:17.870]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:43:18.426]:** For that last social. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:19.891]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:43:22.449]:** Right? So daniel your ara is Australian. For me, that's great. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:22.609]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:43:24.443]:** That's quite. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:24.474]:** Yep. Exactly. Yep. **Ronny [00:43:26.490]:** That's good for the produced offset. You know? **Maroun NAJM [00:43:28.591]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:43:30.175]:** All the other actors Tony, he's not an expensive actor. He's not. I got a pitch... We gotta pitch this to Tony like, this is the film that you're meant to do. Like, this is like the Marlon and brando coming in for the Godfather. You know? Yes. No. Tony's of Lebanese Dna. Okay? He's a first second generation like me. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:55.180]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:43:56.726]:** Right? He grew up in the cedar like me. **Maroun NAJM [00:43:58.312]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:44:01.711]:** He went to films, you know, we have these similarities, and I think and he's not expensive. I almost got to him, but he's fucking agent said, I'm sorry. I can't do it. You know **Maroun NAJM [00:44:10.457]:** Okay. Say why, the plus one is **Ronny [00:44:16.227]:** I wrote a letter. I wrote a letter to him and I said, Tony **Maroun NAJM [00:44:19.096]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:44:19.251]:** read this letter... We wrote a beautiful letter from me Nicholas. And next conversation we, I wanna put Nicolas on. **Maroun NAJM [00:44:21.750]:** Okay. Yes, sir. **Ronny [00:44:24.884]:** My my collaborator. Man, this guy, like, a encyclopedia of cinema. **Maroun NAJM [00:44:27.169]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:44:29.567]:** He said He first he said, look, I said, come on, man. I'm I'm I'm a guy making a film. Tony's Lebanese. You know he's rude eleven. He always talks about his roots he wants to do something about his roots. Was up the arrow film festival of all in New york, Blah blah blah blah blah. Sending the... You know, at least, if you're not gonna sending the script, send the letter. Let didn't read the letter that I've written from Nicholas and myself. And then they wouldn't do it. They he said I can Try. **Maroun NAJM [00:45:03.577]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:45:05.042]:** And then he went back to he's he's senior agent, Brian Mann, and he said Brian won't do it. But if I had money in the bank, **Maroun NAJM [00:45:12.425]:** Yeah. Yeah. **Ronny [00:45:12.581]:** They do it. He probably even played the part. But I don't even know how much Tony's worth. I mean, what is it What is he worth? Is he worth? Four hundred thousand five hundred thousand. We. **Maroun NAJM [00:45:22.071]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:45:25.375]:** I'd... I'm trying to work out someone in America, that can get me to. And bypass all the bureaucracy. You know? He am about. **Maroun NAJM [00:45:32.592]:** It's gonna be w I mean, complicated. But just yes. I get what you mean. And we can we can We can definitely do something about this. If if that's **Ronny [00:45:41.440]:** Because modern I know agents. I know agents, they're fucking dogs. **Maroun NAJM [00:45:45.472]:** That's their goal. **Ronny [00:45:49.067]:** You I understand. I understand. But I understand. But also, like how many stories of an actor where the somebody goes in gives the actor of the script and he's going a... And like, and it's been an incredible story. **Maroun NAJM [00:46:01.290]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:46:01.367]:** You know? Like, This has come, I would have thought because of Nicholas, my my c writer. I would've have thought that that they would have snapped onto it. You know? Like **Maroun NAJM [00:46:15.996]:** They probably they probably didn't read it by the way. **Ronny [00:46:16.865]:** Yeah. Like **Maroun NAJM [00:46:17.142]:** The signal. Yes. **Ronny [00:46:21.887]:** Oh, I tell... I told them in emails. I told them in emails Was like, nicholas you know, the Fury road was, like, one like six Oscars **Maroun NAJM [00:46:29.370]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:46:31.666]:** You know what I mean?? I I I don't think maybe on another the planet. **Maroun NAJM [00:46:35.010]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:46:36.640]:** Maybe they're just, my. I don't know. So we just have to keep working But I I know. I know. You gotta trust me, habit. If we get him best, **Maroun NAJM [00:46:43.935]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:46:44.492]:** one of the guys first, Del gobble will bite on. One **Maroun NAJM [00:46:51.574]:** No, definitely And let me let me just to, go back to the question and the emails like Two things. I it it would help me get my heads in the right in the right direction. **Ronny [00:47:02.469]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:47:06.591]:** First, I I wanted to ask about, you know, the theme end there's this load code, like, Great Men are Always Batman. And this is from from your this is from you. I'm just trying to to be in your shoes. **Ronny [00:47:15.839]:** Well, that that's already caller. That's a prove. Like, that's been for history. They say that great men are always you know, that they say that. **Maroun NAJM [00:47:22.634]:** That's that's load. It it... It's it's a full sentence. Start, you know, power corrupt, **Ronny [00:47:25.736]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:47:29.650]:** absolute power, corrupt, Absolutely. Great men are always bad net. **Ronny [00:47:30.526]:** But **Maroun NAJM [00:47:31.534]:** That... That's the full full sentence. **Ronny [00:47:33.672]:** Yeah. But but tracy **Maroun NAJM [00:47:35.693]:** Is this the scene when you Is is this as... Is this a valid thing for you? **Ronny [00:47:40.835]:** Of course. **Maroun NAJM [00:47:41.693]:** Because you talk about legacy and and redemption, but it's it's too bland for most people. Right? **Ronny [00:47:46.688]:** Okay. **Maroun NAJM [00:47:47.444]:** Not accessible enough. **Ronny [00:47:49.671]:** He's the thing. He's the thing throughout the film. He's worried about. He's legacy. He's worried. If... Keeps going on, the whole family will crumble. They'll lose everything. But that's why we've said no legacy is worth on... No. It's worth honoring if it's stained by blood, You know, like, **Maroun NAJM [00:48:07.928]:** Yes. Yes. **Ronny [00:48:13.379]:** but he's so desperate for legacy. He's so desperate for it. And he gets to the church, and he... And the mon in your system, who the fuck you you are, man. I'm not giving you that. Guys but Look up. **Maroun NAJM [00:48:20.795]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:48:22.408]:** He might, but not me. **Maroun NAJM [00:48:24.070]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:48:27.397]:** You know? And he tries to say, but what about me? When I was on the port in Lebanon, when the militia dragged us sale, you know, what it. And but like, no. You met you had a choice. You had a choice. You know? So so maybe maybe along the along the parts of of the text, of the pitch deck we can put you know, great men I almost Tracy said, instead of writing Great. She wrote. Great men are almost guilty men. Oh, **Maroun NAJM [00:48:55.850]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:48:55.927]:** are always guilty man. You know? **Maroun NAJM [00:48:57.692]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:49:01.669]:** Because guilty leaves it up in the air, like, oh, guilty of what? What are they guilty of? **Maroun NAJM [00:49:02.411]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:49:03.890]:** And you know? And that goes on **Maroun NAJM [00:49:04.222]:** But you see? **Ronny [00:49:06.687]:** steve **Maroun NAJM [00:49:07.541]:** But you see this is the kind of thing that is much more accessible **Ronny [00:49:09.028]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:49:09.809]:** that's why I'm I'm bringing it up. **Ronny [00:49:12.121]:** I see you're saying, like, how we can we can put little bits because I've seen. But sometimes I look at them m and I go, fuck, man. These are, like, you know, like overs si. Oh, like... But but look, I'm happy to workshop, man. No problem. **Maroun NAJM [00:49:24.675]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:49:26.116]:** I just wanna get it right. **Maroun NAJM [00:49:27.074]:** Okay. Okay. Okay. I'll I'll I'll try to I'll I'll I'll try I'll try to think of, you know, what would be the path... That possible you know, focus **Ronny [00:49:34.946]:** Yeah. Yes. **Maroun NAJM [00:49:39.114]:** that that we can use that we can or a narrative that we can get people on board with. The the second question is... And by the way, like, the whole frame in the middle is is very interesting. Like I I I I don't know what **Ronny [00:49:48.529]:** Which one? **Maroun NAJM [00:49:49.340]:** the stores is I tried to pick it up. I couldn't find it. I don't know who came up with it. I loved it. The the the disable the children's story, **Ronny [00:49:52.864]:** Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah **Maroun NAJM [00:49:58.774]:** I'm, like, I was... Is this mythology? Is this, like, I'm never heard of it before. But yeah. **Ronny [00:50:01.133]:** Was it's probably Greek mythology. That was Nick. What I would like to **Maroun NAJM [00:50:04.249]:** I don't know. I don't. And this And and this the second thing that I really need your input on is like be all the self phones with, you know, Like, what would be this three seems that I'll kind of... Let Say your favorite, but, like, that you're most looking forward to because **Ronny [00:50:23.452]:** Okay. Alright. **Maroun NAJM [00:50:24.087]:** This is great for god. **Ronny [00:50:25.626]:** Yeah. Okay. So **Maroun NAJM [00:50:27.635]:** You you put him... You you tell him, this is how we gonna do this. And this is how the people get on board. **Ronny [00:50:34.486]:** Yeah. Alright. So probably probably the epic scene when the wedding **Maroun NAJM [00:50:36.711]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:50:38.471]:** in Lebanon. That escape is when I **Maroun NAJM [00:50:40.134]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:50:44.023]:** vision the escape. To me, that escape is one big orchestra. **Maroun NAJM [00:50:48.196]:** Okay okay. **Ronny [00:50:50.003]:** It's ninety two piece of music. Know, I'm and I'm think about this. They start off in the mountain. **Maroun NAJM [00:50:55.913]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:50:58.637]:** Right. It starts off. The beginning of the film is well I don't forget on that... The goat is chomp on the hash. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:03.932]:** Yeah. Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:06.467]:** You know? Now, if you fast forward fifty years, when they're at the end of the film, That land, right. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:11.888]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:12.627]:** Is a grave site now. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:15.126]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:16.589]:** Okay? And then also, when you're talking about here, like, Gangster does, they always fight over what. They always fight over one thing. Territory tough. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:27.493]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:29.936]:** You know? And that's like That's the the analog of the turf of Hash. He took his turf. That was his little... He was... My grandfather used to grow. It was a little bit. Tobacco I was like, **Maroun NAJM [00:51:40.487]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:40.530]:** like enough, like, five or ten square meters. You know what I mean? **Maroun NAJM [00:51:45.577]:** Yeah. Yeah. **Ronny [00:51:45.611]:** That that's what it was. Know, but I took it to another level. We wanted to make it like one big pat and, you know, But, again, it's just for the people to smoke. That's it. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:53.743]:** Yep. **Ronny [00:51:57.248]:** But he sees the general sees business. He needs to grow his his militia. **Maroun NAJM [00:51:59.272]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:52:01.459]:** He needs the Go Hall? How am I gonna grow this mission, make some money So he takes it off him. **Maroun NAJM [00:52:02.951]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:52:04.507]:** Raw his wedding takes it off him. **Maroun NAJM [00:52:06.131]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:52:08.470]:** Right? But the scene when they escape on the wedding night. And she gets shot on the peer. **Maroun NAJM [00:52:14.293]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:52:15.383]:** On the oldest port in the world, **Maroun NAJM [00:52:16.816]:** Yes. **Ronny [00:52:18.881]:** The oldest one of the oldest civilizations in the world You know? I thought about putting in tripoli, but, but it's image bad for a reason, in be lost for reason. **Maroun NAJM [00:52:27.568]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:52:29.816]:** I think that seen is paramount. That that... That's one big paramount thing. And then **Maroun NAJM [00:52:33.285]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:52:34.349]:** the other scene, is the family in the beginning, **Maroun NAJM [00:52:39.714]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:52:41.545]:** Where do we come from? L dna is family Night. Sometimes, I wish I didn't have a big family. You know? And I believe, I believe the one thing in the world that we got is family And this is... The also the one thing that people are trying to destroy families, **Maroun NAJM [00:53:00.291]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:53:01.191]:** You know, the bond of family. **Maroun NAJM [00:53:04.246]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:53:05.510]:** That whole that whole entire holy in. It's like, Thirty different frames, but one continuous event. **Maroun NAJM [00:53:13.454]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:53:14.193]:** One continuous event. From the dress the analogy of the seams when the holy came union, shit... That's the what... And he's looking at her thinking about Leila on the port, the white dress. The old man. **Maroun NAJM [00:53:29.658]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:53:33.610]:** You know? And then another thing that and I'll leave I'll leave you with this one is is The two forces here are incredible. You have male one female. This man has fought all his life. He's sick. He's tired Da. Da. You know, all he wants is redemption. **Maroun NAJM [00:53:51.645]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:53:53.215]:** Okay. He wants redemption. What does she want? Revenge. **Maroun NAJM [00:53:57.603]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:54:00.385]:** So you've got these two magnets of redemption versus revenge. **Maroun NAJM [00:54:03.954]:** Okay. Okay. Last question **Ronny [00:54:09.060]:** Yep. **Maroun NAJM [00:54:09.584]:** timeline. **Ronny [00:54:10.855]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:54:12.354]:** What are we looking at? Like, like, I understand you want, you know, as soon as possible. Yes, but, like, realistically, you want to, you know, lock the budget in the next six months. You want to start shooting next year. Like what would be an ideal kind of timeline for you. **Ronny [00:54:29.431]:** What what do you mean? To to get the money in all that? **Maroun NAJM [00:54:33.365]:** Yeah. Like time, let's say, when do you wanna release this? Because like **Ronny [00:54:36.679]:** Javier. If we got the money tomorrow, **Maroun NAJM [00:54:38.294]:** Yeah. **Ronny [00:54:40.905]:** I mean, I mean, I don't know. But I do know that I'll leave that into God's hands. It all plays on on the money. But all I do **Maroun NAJM [00:54:48.255]:** But I mean, you have the money where you start tomorrow? That's my question **Ronny [00:54:51.188]:** Of course, beer production straight away. It **Maroun NAJM [00:54:54.892]:** Okay. And and and and Nicolas is directly. Hello? **Ronny [00:54:57.772]:** Well, I I'd want Nicholas to direct. **Maroun NAJM [00:54:59.197]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:54:59.234]:** Right? Because I want you to speak to him. I wanna organize a call. **Maroun NAJM [00:55:06.433]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:55:07.725]:** Right. This one you to see the wise in this man. You know? **Maroun NAJM [00:55:15.489]:** I'm sure. **Ronny [00:55:18.848]:** No. I want you to see it for yourself, Having the humility in this man. Right? **Maroun NAJM [00:55:20.393]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:55:22.064]:** And he's never wanted to direct. **Maroun NAJM [00:55:24.735]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:55:25.104]:** He's always stayed behind He's that opportunities? But he's like, if you were let... Like, obviously, like I mean, Technically, he's more advanced than me **Maroun NAJM [00:55:36.716]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:55:39.731]:** Right? But it'd be both of us, it'd be both of us, but he's the driver. Right? And we're just all or, I'll be the driver. He's the Na. There's no right or wrong. But I want him **Maroun NAJM [00:55:47.233]:** Okay. Let let let me put it Let me put it a different context. There is an award who getting the word you have **Ronny [00:55:53.048]:** Nick. **Maroun NAJM [00:55:55.502]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:55:56.627]:** Yeah. Out of respect. Ag go. I can do **Maroun NAJM [00:55:58.557]:** Okay. I'll. **Ronny [00:56:02.513]:** I get a hundred of watts. We both go. I have no problems. You know, if someone said, nick nose. He Nick nose, that hey guys, if there's someone bigger, like, if it's a Dennis Ville love or blah blah blah, you know? But I said, well, what if somebody said, we want ronnie to direct. My thing would be like, He's he's attached to me. A be behind me. **Maroun NAJM [00:56:22.194]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:56:23.884]:** He's George miller... He's George Miller ghost. Nobody knows. **Maroun NAJM [00:56:25.572]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:56:26.723]:** He's doctor miller ghost. **Maroun NAJM [00:56:26.758]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:56:28.148]:** You know? **Maroun NAJM [00:56:28.643]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:56:31.193]:** I'm I'm happy to admit. That's why and, you know, I play I play Vincent, Right? **Maroun NAJM [00:56:36.681]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:56:40.235]:** I gotta a Have a come back here and I start rehearsing for a plate if I'm gonna do it. And then you know, like, for me, people have I've tried to take this script off me try to... I've been Like, it's it's it's almost like a... You can make a documentary. I me making this thing. It's killed me. **Maroun NAJM [00:56:56.669]:** Alright. I don't I don't I know. I've I've on that. **Ronny [00:56:58.249]:** Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [00:56:59.050]:** Down **Ronny [00:57:03.311]:** Yeah. So... So now we're at a point, and now I've got Tracy Meg. She is big power this woman for us. You know like, She looks after every decision I. Everything goes through her. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:11.076]:** We. **Ronny [00:57:12.888]:** Right? And she only cares, and she's a good woman. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:14.593]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:57:15.151]:** She's a fucking good woman. Right? Now **Maroun NAJM [00:57:17.284]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:57:18.646]:** For me, it's you know, my... Like, you know, the age... My agent was saying to me look, Looking you know, why why use you need to start telling people what you want. So, like, Steven Spielberg presents, George Miller presents, Darren in ar presents, I have Ronnie Mo presents. That's it. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:34.374]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:57:35.216]:** You know what? That's enough for me. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:36.518]:** Okay. **Ronny [00:57:36.587]:** That's enough for me. You know? But **Maroun NAJM [00:57:38.891]:** Correct. **Ronny [00:57:40.817]:** Let me know when you can do a Zoom with Nick. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:44.636]:** He's not coming to Can. Right? **Ronny [00:57:46.957]:** He's not coming no. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:50.373]:** Okay. Okay. Look, let let me let me dive into this **Ronny [00:57:51.057]:** Yep. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:53.254]:** Okay. Because we we're short on time. Let me focus right now on on **Ronny [00:57:55.546]:** Sure. **Maroun NAJM [00:57:56.442]:** the audience. Try figure out, you know, archetypes, help we can find them, what would direction be kind of that kind of thing. I'm gonna try to, you know, build as much I would say pre say projections that I can, and then we'll work on the budget back. Right? So I say, okay. I can I can tell this in Mexico? I said this in Brazil. I can tell this in the state. We you... We can sell this in Australia, which I don't know much Okay? I'm not counting a lot on the region to **Ronny [00:58:25.652]:** Just **Maroun NAJM [00:58:26.961]:** Like, I might change my mind. Okay. Depending on how it goes, but right now, I'm not Sorry? **Ronny [00:58:32.533]:** know, they... They say never trust them man That says trust me. But on this occasion, you have to You have to Remember, I said this? It's gonna go **Maroun NAJM [00:58:38.580]:** Okay. Okay. **Ronny [00:58:40.468]:** It's gonna go off in lebanon. You wet and see. **Maroun NAJM [00:58:42.938]:** Okay. Fine. Yes. Ne. Yes. Lebanon sleep. Lebanon definitely. Kevin has not a market. Never is not the market. **Ronny [00:58:52.352]:** So that I know that. And in the in the gulf. Because of You're gonna... We're gonna get collectively all of us. We're gonna get the best of the best in front of camera. And we're gonna have the best of the best behind the camera. And something special will happen. That's when we make magic. Because everybody's on the same fucking page we're one big family. Everything we do is one big family. You know? So but I'm I'm anyway, You let me know. I'm on message whenever you fucking need anything. Call. **Maroun NAJM [00:59:23.695]:** Okay. Okay. What I was just hud like **Ronny [00:59:26.648]:** Alright, I'm so glad on Fuck, I'm so glad on **Maroun NAJM [00:59:28.652]:** Yeah. Too. Me too me too, it was a wind pressure. **Ronny [00:59:30.887]:** And my number **Maroun NAJM [00:59:33.015]:** And I'll I'll I'll see you soon a couple of days. Life **Ronny [00:59:36.396]:** Yeah. I'll see on come Oh, if you have the... Where are you staying? **Maroun NAJM [00:59:42.189]:** like It's a way. It's... I'm not the inca itself. I'm paying in **Ronny [00:59:47.806]:** Oh, okay. **Maroun NAJM [00:59:48.557]:** I... I'm training with. Yeah, it's cheaper. Yes. **Ronny [00:59:54.848]:** No. Totally understand, I I I looked at stuff. I keep on getting denied. I'm staying about about One kilometer way? Less **Maroun NAJM [01:00:04.956]:** Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So... But in the city or in, outside the city, **Ronny [01:00:06.587]:** Nines in the city. **Maroun NAJM [01:00:06.792]:** But Okay okay. **Ronny [01:00:08.066]:** My room is the Yeah. **Maroun NAJM [01:00:13.466]:** Alright. Alright. Okay. **Ronny [01:00:14.488]:** So go back to Lebanon. Alright. **Maroun NAJM [01:00:19.383]:** And yes, when you're back and when you're back, we're gonna do probably do, you know, something here. But that would be great. **Ronny [01:00:25.702]:** Yeah. You know, I'm gonna try and also make... Have Nadine Is there I know her husband's on the jury. I know Nadine.