Maroun NAJM:Hello.
Maroun NAJM:I'm good. I'm good.
Ronny:May I never would have thought you you look like this. You know, when you have somebody in your head,
Maroun NAJM:Well, I'm I'm not gonna ask. I'm not gonna ask. Go ahead
Ronny:Why not could you favorite it?
Maroun NAJM:Hi. Am and David were just
Maroun NAJM:I
Ronny:When... Where about in?
Maroun NAJM:Right now, I live in Bur
Ronny:Ob
Maroun NAJM:Yep. Yep.
Ronny:Very nice.
Maroun NAJM:You come often
Ronny:I do. I do.
Maroun NAJM:So like, where is the family from? Your
Maroun NAJM:North or Ro spain or
Maroun NAJM:it depends.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Fog up North. Up North. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:Yeah Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Alright
Ronny:But originally they were former a ham sheet,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:But we're up from Z.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Okay. I see. I see.
Ronny:Yeah. A little town called that he might. It's next to like Mi across
Ronny:The valley from Mi.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. It's very nice there.
Maroun NAJM:That's so fucking nice there.
Ronny:Yeah. It's nice. It's... Oh, it's boring.
Ronny:It's boring.
Ronny:I prefer getting it.
Maroun NAJM:Boeing is good.
Ronny:Pardon?
Maroun NAJM:Boring is good.
Ronny:No, well, you know what? Now. Yeah.
Ronny:You know, considering. But my sister,
Ronny:because her husband
Ronny:was born in Lebanon, and he came to Australia in his early twenties
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:and he's he's gonna build a house in
Ronny:in adding.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So... Yeah, he's trying... You know, I he's was trying to build his house
Ronny:having, like, a little holiday thing for his boys.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:But I'm trying to get there
Ronny:I'm trying to get there off? Are you going to can?
Maroun NAJM:I am doing for. Yes.
Maroun NAJM:Going on Monday.
Ronny:Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'll see that I land Monday.
Ronny:You know how far is
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Yeah. Yeah. I get the at one thirty.
Maroun NAJM:One thirty in the morning?
Ronny:In afternoon.
Maroun NAJM:Or the
Ronny:Yeah. Afternoon.
Maroun NAJM:I I get at night. I'll I'll I'll arrive at night.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Like, around eleven or something.
Ronny:Okay.
Ronny:Yeah. And not I'm trying to get eleven on afterwards.
Ronny:But I can't... My
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Yeah. I'll make it up a great night to come.
Ronny:I know. I know. But my mother is not well.
Maroun NAJM:Should. Okay.
Ronny:Modern... No. Good. My, mom.
Ronny:And if she finds out, I went to Lebanon, she knows I'm I'm crazy.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Yeah. She's not all
Ronny:But, you know, because I spent a lot of time lebanon on. I shot a documentary there a few years ago.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And my my best mate
Maroun NAJM:And what's what?
Ronny:I I... So I don't know if you heard of the documentary, and I wish I sort of met you
Ronny:along the way, but I didn't.
Ronny:Well, I I produced the documentary enough.
Ronny:Lebanon darkest hour.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. No I haven't seen it.
Ronny:I produced for that crazy
Maroun NAJM:I haven't until
Maroun NAJM:I haven't seen it, but, yeah. I I, like, I get the idea.
Ronny:John Sean Luca end up distributing it.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Yeah.
Ronny:But I'm glad that chapters out of my life because it was
Ronny:It was hard. It was difficult working with a a journalist.
Ronny:Very very difficult. Very difficult.
Ronny:But I'm moving forward and
Ronny:So you know,
Ronny:Tracy wouldn't love to be on this call, but
Ronny:sheet
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. It's for trying ten
Ronny:Yeah. No. No. She's on
Ronny:So I'll give you in... Info just a bit of background on her. She's the biggest
Ronny:Film and television, p r,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:in Australia. She's the queen.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:But not only that's all the television shows they get made here, they get brought from
Ronny:other countries. She looks after movie, she has big clients.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And she has Or, also big
Ronny:like, one of her guys is
Ronny:you know, Emi Sherman, the producer?
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:He did the king's speech.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:That's her client. So she looks after a lot of people
Ronny:And she looks after me and I'm like, what do you want for me?
Ronny:She goes nothing. I love your story. She goes, I love the story.
Ronny:You know, and I know this could be a beautiful film. She's she's with us.
Maroun NAJM:It it does it does.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:It does. I mean like
Maroun NAJM:As I said, as I said, like,
Maroun NAJM:when I look at the
Maroun NAJM:at the deck first. I, like, okay. I need, like, kind of
Maroun NAJM:I had some pre ideas about what it could be.
Maroun NAJM:And and then and then or the screen play I'm, like, the deck doesn't do it justice minute.
Ronny:Yeah. Yeah
Maroun NAJM:I I've
Ronny:yeah. It's hard. Do you know
Maroun NAJM:And and I agree with you honest name.
Ronny:Pardon, my my collaborator,
Ronny:he doesn't like doing this... He's an old man.
Maroun NAJM:Theft.
Ronny:He wrote the last two At max. And the one that's about to get shot
Ronny:they're gonna make an announcement.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Soon. It's called the wasteland.
Ronny:So how that came about was he sort of
Ronny:had a few scripts in his
Ronny:he could have worked on him blah blah blah, but
Ronny:he
Ronny:Don't know why he chose my script. It was very infant,
Maroun NAJM:Is it?
Ronny:the total difference... Not a total different story.
Ronny:It was see the story that we're doing now
Ronny:This would have been part two.
Ronny:But
Maroun NAJM:Okay. I see.
Ronny:So corey that we first worked on, and we did about
Ronny:about fifteen twenty drops.
Ronny:Was morgan's
Ronny:God.
Ronny:About the Vincent character.
Ronny:You know, it was this young boy who wants to find out who's killed his father.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So we we workshop... We we wrote that, and that was over a few years.
Ronny:And then
Ronny:He just said something to me one day. You guys running. I need you to trust me. You guys
Ronny:He's like Ronnie. I've been doing this for fifty five years older than you by long shot.
Ronny:Okay. I need you.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:To
Ronny:to me and and let's try
Ronny:and do the... Let's try and make Fred re the focus of this story.
Maroun NAJM:Okay
Ronny:Yeah. I, I would've have said no on any day. You know, that fiery lebanese
Ronny:thought their blood comes out because initially, wrote
Ronny:I wrote it like stall. I wanted to write a story that I wanted to act in
Ronny:it's very simple. I might here to
Ronny:to be
Ronny:you know, to fund needs... Only that bullshit, it's very simple.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:My philosophy of still is very simple. Right?
Ronny:But then I also learned how to write... Become a better writer with him.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:He taught me how to become a much
Ronny:better writer. And, you know, you... When you read it, you can see... I mean, it reads
Ronny:simple, but my god was hard to get it simple.
Ronny:Like that's the.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:The simplicity of it, you know? And he took it to another level.
Ronny:I cannot
Ronny:because he's old. He bought on that wise man approach.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:And and then also,
Ronny:We in Australia
Ronny:We always always, the lebanese here whenever they get represented on
Ronny:screen model, there always it's shit.
Ronny:It's a way.
Ronny:You know
Maroun NAJM:It's it's on as you It's etcetera... The the nigga is.
Ronny:and I was tired
Ronny:I repeat in television shows,
Ronny:where, as an actor where I
Ronny:I
Ronny:I'm like, this is not how they speak.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Why why are these characters speaking like this? This is
Ronny:not what he would do.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:You know? So I think I decided, fuck it.
Ronny:I'm gonna write a story where we dictate what the character
Ronny:say we like Lebanese, we dictate.
Ronny:Not let other
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:people told me how to write the story. And the reason why Nick gets
Ronny:gets what I'm doing is
Ronny:He's across the water.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:You know?
Ronny:So
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Okay. I. I see. I.
Ronny:I... We were constantly, You know, we spent months together. We live together.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And we lift and, you know we.
Ronny:Is that someone come on?
Maroun NAJM:I think it's.
Aya:E
Ronny:Yeah. Well, I... You know, we're lifting together. In
Ronny:in order.
Ronny:Yeah. No. So we live together. We workshop workshop work
Ronny:soft workshop.
Ronny:And and here we are.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So
Ronny:Hello?
Aya:I can hear you guys.
Ronny:Oh, I we can't see you.
Aya:Yeah. My camera is not on, but I can hear you guys.
Ronny:Oh, okay.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So, you know, it it it's
Ronny:In terms of your notes, totally understandable. I understand.
Ronny:But
Ronny:So with
Ronny:I mean, how do you wanna do? You you go ahead lead it then.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. So
Ronny:Tell us tell us what you wanna go... Hey, you wanna go
Maroun NAJM:So like, I I I I
Ronny:eight
Maroun NAJM:I totally get where you're coming from. I even, like,
Maroun NAJM:a lot of the references like,
Maroun NAJM:even when it comes to Australia, Like, I have my uncle in Australia that I've never met that he's kind of
Maroun NAJM:x. We don't know what he did.
Maroun NAJM:Right? No one's supposed to talk about him. Right? I have this. It's in my family.
Ronny:Who's your control.
Maroun NAJM:Right? And the other part of the family is
Ronny:Is in sydney Melbourne
Maroun NAJM:in
Ronny:This
Ronny:Mike Phone call.
Ronny:Okay.
Maroun NAJM:He's old. He's supposed to be, like, eighty now or something Yeah, eighty five.
Maroun NAJM:He's still alive as far as I know.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah, I'm not supposed to ask about guys. Why is he not never hear
Maroun NAJM:didn't come back to his, you know mom's or or or or or or or dad's, funeral literally, nothing.
Maroun NAJM:Right? Completely got off. And and then, like, kind of
Maroun NAJM:I I have this. So I'm also from Mexican so, you know, lebanese sephora,
Maroun NAJM:So my family is in Mexico not in Mexico.
Maroun NAJM:In the country, But, you know, it's in,
Maroun NAJM:pipe
Maroun NAJM:They're into agriculture,
Ronny:Mh.
Ronny:Yep.
Maroun NAJM:So I get it. Like, the whole thing is you
Maroun NAJM:cream
Maroun NAJM:But then... But... And and I like, I I I already enjoyed it.
Maroun NAJM:But then what what do we talk about? Okay. So how how are we gonna proceed with that?
Maroun NAJM:So I'm gonna start with a budget because that's the the first question, like,
Maroun NAJM:everyone's going to ask, for everyone's going to
Maroun NAJM:it's gotta be a first filter, and I don't want it to be a filter.
Maroun NAJM:Right. Because reading the screen like, I understand why you need ten million, maybe you need more.
Maroun NAJM:Price
Maroun NAJM:will be
Ronny:Yeah. Hold on Hold on. So I just say that budget was done off a different script.
Ronny:Where there was
Ronny:a lot more
Ronny:it was even bigger. We we brought it down. I... I'm convinced
Ronny:that I can bring the budget down.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Alright? But if somebody seemed to me, hey, he's ten million
Ronny:I'm not gonna say, no. Do you know what I mean?
Ronny:But I'm trying to work
Ronny:Well, I I just have to give it to a scheduler.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And then
Ronny:someone to budget it.
Ronny:Just for the Australian component.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right? The Lebanese component
Ronny:I don't know prices and stuff how it works, but
Ronny:that's the part that I I would assume
Ronny:and I would help out.
Ronny:Correct?
Maroun NAJM:Okay. I mean, anybody new sport is
Maroun NAJM:like, very well, it's a very well all in
Maroun NAJM:sheen. Like, you gonna get great services at great prices.
Ronny:E n
Maroun NAJM:I'm not worried about it. This this weekend fix. And
Maroun NAJM:they
Maroun NAJM:we don't do a lot of feature films, but we do a lot of Tv.
Maroun NAJM:And we do a lot of, you know, commercials
Maroun NAJM:So it's, like, the level of professionals you'll find here, you you'll you'll be established.
Maroun NAJM:Actually, give the documentary. So I, like, you you have you have freedom.
Ronny:Yeah. What. Oh, I mean, Had I had to wake up the crew every morning, But... Yeah.
Ronny:Because I I with get up.
Ronny:And no problem.
Ronny:No but.
Ronny:It's like on that because it it'll go back to
Ronny:the, the last question in in your
Ronny:he's like with the, government grants.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:In order for us, in order for us, and Tracy sort of
Ronny:dictated what that that part. That's more or less her part
Ronny:what I do know just from the documentaries is,
Ronny:the more Australian talent, which is it's filled of Australian talent. Right?
Maroun NAJM:Yep. Yeah.
Ronny:The the better for us. Right? And it brings on other people
Ronny:It's still everyone that is c.
Ronny:Is what they call c.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Bit.
Ronny:Go ahead.
Maroun NAJM:But but let's like, what's the threshold? Because
Ronny:Producer of say is forty percent.
Maroun NAJM:but
Maroun NAJM:how and how many, you know, talents or how much
Ronny:Yeah. Yeah yeah Yeah. I think
Maroun NAJM:has to be spent into Australia for you to qualify them.
Ronny:I think it's
Ronny:I I think
Aya:So, basically, for the c production between Australia and the arab of other
Aya:like, any other countries that we would include it's on either points or percentage
Aya:base, And that will be off of the overall budget that we're gonna be able to secure.
Aya:In order for us to secure the Australian part of the fund will need x
Aya:number
Aya:of dollars, and equity or from public funds that will come from
Aya:any other part of the world, and strategy files
Aya:strategy wise from a financing perspective because we know we can have the thirty percent
Ronny:Four
Aya:financing from Australia. The idea here is to... Sorry.
Ronny:forty
Aya:Yes. Forty two. The idea here is
Aya:try and look as much as we can, the rest of the budget
Aya:From
Aya:either equity or public funds from the rest of the world.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Aya:I do need to
Maroun NAJM:My question
Aya:Ideally, this would come
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Go ahead Go.
Aya:from, basically,
Aya:any coke production treaties Australia currently has with the rest
Aya:of the world, but at the same time, maximizing on tenant that's
Aya:can come and put an equity and also maximizing
Aya:on the region and where the
Aya:audience speaks the most about
Aya:the talent that we want to attach to the phone. So in order for this to be maximized advisable,
Aya:from the perspective of an audience for it to be sent, but also for us to be able
Aya:to bring in as much... As much revenue as we can and we can expect.
Aya:One of the ways to go about it is to
Aya:go for accessible cast, which I think in the preliminary
Aya:cast suggestions that are presented deck, whether it's Daniel
Aya:and, but these are quite accessible people that we can have from the region.
Aya:And we know it will sell, and people know them. They're accessible. They're are known. They're
Aya:you know, available, whether an in series or films. So
Aya:There's been touring around a lot. Now
Aya:where the budget for Me gets reduced is not just
Aya:the lebanese part because the Lebanon part in the film is
Aya:not where most of the film is basically happening.
Aya:The the bulk of the production is not lebanon.
Aya:That bulk of the production is in Australia.
Aya:So in order for this to also be incentivized enough
Aya:Four people coming in from the region and putting in their money,
Aya:it also needs to be
Aya:substantial enough for them to feel like, okay.
Aya:Putting an x money, when do I recoup at what point?
Aya:You know, how can we expect that strategy
Aya:to unfold altogether so that from a distribution
Aya:ten points to the production to how we're gonna go and raise these funds
Aya:people actually feel like this is a realistic project.
Maroun NAJM:Yes. Let's
Aya:It's not just the appeal to it or not.
Aya:For me, the way
Maroun NAJM:Go ahead. I finish finished. Just... I'll... Because I I want to, like,
Maroun NAJM:good guy, Finish And.
Aya:No, sure. Go ahead.
Maroun NAJM:Just we will get to the audience
Maroun NAJM:and and who the core audience is and, like, where can we realistically, you know,
Maroun NAJM:have interest, pre sales and and, you know, distribution deals.
Maroun NAJM:But I'm I'm, I want to go one step back and I really need to understand
Maroun NAJM:like, then the Australian incentive
Maroun NAJM:because, I mean, forty percent, what exactly is cash from that.
Maroun NAJM:Okay? What exactly is included? What is not included?
Maroun NAJM:Because this is gonna be the first center
Maroun NAJM:with any producer we're got to have a discussion
Maroun NAJM:Right? It's not gonna be the creative, it's not gonna be an idea. This is
Maroun NAJM:like, the the the screen play is how is gotta be how we close.
Maroun NAJM:The budget is gonna be how we're gonna start discussion right?
Maroun NAJM:Okay? So this is why I want to start that. I want to clear this
Maroun NAJM:understand exactly what are we pitching?
Maroun NAJM:For most, it's gonna be a buzz. Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Exactly Like You said, Aya, how can I make money out of this?
Maroun NAJM:Right. Right.
Maroun NAJM:It is a big budget. Right? We're we're without we're not a small and film here.
Maroun NAJM:So like,
Maroun NAJM:Ronnie, I don't know if, like, you you have the full details or if there's somebody
Maroun NAJM:that's that's done this before because I I don't know how it works Australia exactly.
Aya:So I've
Maroun NAJM:But I've done this before
Aya:I've already produced a film in Australia that had an arab
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Aya:trend attached to it with how c production functions in a
Aya:trailer. That's how we're trying to build the best strategy, and I can
Aya:off call if you want, let you know how that film went. What happened?
Aya:I know that the producer attached from Australia is also one of Tracy
Aya:you know, good friends from the industry. And I can tell you the backstory of
Aya:thought. Where to me in order for us to really access what we need.
Aya:And to this is
Aya:I'll
Aya:download offline, of course that
Aya:you know, c production scheme of
Aya:what and how Australia functions so that you can better understand
Aya:that. But right now, what I'm
Aya:actually trying to get to, which I think we need to is cans coming up
Aya:There is a lot of meetings that we'd love to set up
Aya:and to put together. And for that to happen, I would like
Aya:for us to try and understand roughly. What are the numbers that we can
Aya:pack. Regardless this now of which part is Australian, which part is from the region.
Aya:With the appeal of what you've read from the script, but also the understanding of who could
Aya:potentially come and be attached to the project. I just want a rough
Aya:estimation that we can either compare or have conversations with so that's
Aya:we
Aya:a hold credibility when discussing the project with potential partners
Aya:that we can have.
Aya:The previous production
Aya:you know, the Australian project that I've
Aya:I've I've come on board. I've come on board at a very
Aya:late stage of the
Aya:of the entire production. Like, we... Like, the arab parts
Aya:of the money came in last. And we were two arab partners
Aya:to put in that financing so that we can close the budget of the film.
Aya:Most of the film was done with French money and Australian money because of the
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Aya:traumatized ties with the cop production treaties.
Aya:But right now, we're also expanding more into the region. So
Aya:Fa abu to you who you who runs right now the at Sea and festival.
Aya:Was the first one to establish this.
Aya:Sorry. Was the first one to establish a partnership between
Aya:Australia and, Saudi Arabia to have an engagement
Aya:between both countries and to try and see where that could
Aya:you know, develop and elaborate. There are
Aya:talks of c production treaties, but nothing has really been signed and there are
Aya:changed a few screenings that happened. And I know that the lady that basic
Aya:three once that kind of exchange only
Aya:the was in touch with. Was supposed to meet her
Aya:she was ill that didn't have
Ronny:Yeah. Yeah. She's had an operation. Is that hood? So
Aya:Yeah.
Ronny:is she... So it's official that she's part of that.
Aya:Yeah. Yeah. I'm I know I know she is
Aya:office... I noticed she's part of that. Yeah. But... So
Ronny:No. It's... That's what I'm asking. So she's officially part of it. Yeah?
Aya:Yeah. Yeah. I think so because I I dig different
Aya:to the saudi parts of it and it it
Aya:was basically
Aya:the current red
Aya:from festival director that basically initiated this because he lived in,
Ronny:Australia.
Aya:In Australia for a while, and he was pretty much interested in the scheme.
Aya:So that's why Saudi Arabia
Aya:has been, you know, the the first country to exchange,
Aya:on on that note. Now adding more to that,
Aya:depending on the appeal of the film and how big the film is and who ends up
Aya:you know, joining forces on this.
Aya:Dubai could be an interest for us, but I know right now.
Aya:Dubai is not putting in any money into films. Their
Aya:trying to build an entire infrastructure where potentially
Aya:can come back and exist within the premise of what it is that they're doing.
Aya:But the Dubai phone commissioner is someone that we can meet while we're actually gonna be there at
Aya:potentially pitch him the project, even though he confirmed to me right now, there's no money
Aya:to be spent or to be put anywhere.
Aya:Now in addition to this,
Aya:the film is attending can,
Aya:I don't know how open they're basically going
Aya:to be to consider a film like this, maybe locally from do we can later on
Aya:speak to them? I know my one has established contacts with, media yesterday.
Aya:As a, you know, as as an entity, but not specifically the film commission. So we have
Aya:ties to the phone commission because they organize programs with us during the festival.
Aya:And one of their team members is
Aya:a executive producer at Studios.
Aya:So there's a lot
Aya:from the film that we can get in terms of in kind, done and delivered
Aya:from here, whether it's free money that's, you know, in terms of services that's
Aya:puts in into the project, and it could also be
Aya:equity money that we end up getting from, the film commission.
Aya:The only
Aya:I I don't think it's gonna be, like, just the only, but one of the most prominent
Aya:animal
Aya:with the film commission. One is going to be who are the big cast
Aya:that are actually gonna be tied to
Aya:the scripts and the film
Aya:And eventually, the, you know, the bigger the names, the better it's going to be
Aya:And I know... Like, right now, there are two films in can in the main company
Aya:with very big names that they're
Aya:scouting for to
Aya:puts in their money.
Aya:Even though we actually heard that they've halted some of the productions from the
Aya:in order for them to to give them a bit of cash and to upload some of
Aya:some of these projects. So there's a lot happening. There's a lot that we can maximize
Aya:on. Same goes to what I had mentioned earlier if Daniela comes in.
Aya:Any anyone of these actors come in. Like, it's also good to
Aya:incentivize them with, like, a part of equity so that they feel like, oh, I have, you know,
Aya:a little bit more of a say in the film. I could be an executive producer, but also an app
Aya:sir, you know, following the same strategy of how eventually the actors
Aya:directors, but are also executive producers on some of their own films.
Aya:Especially when, you know, they're attached to them. And I think maximizing on all these
Aya:difference
Aya:trends,
Aya:basically, from the region, but also in Australia,
Aya:One helps us lock
Aya:part of the budget, which is, I think exactly what we want to go
Aya:with. And at the same time, reassure people that
Aya:Whatever x amount we end up
Aya:you know,
Aya:securing
Ronny:Hundred percent.
Aya:Australia will back us up with the forty percent. What
Ronny:Yeah.
Aya:what we're sure of right now is that forty percent, And that's
Aya:like, the the guaranteed
Aya:option that we have here. So it's a win win situation. If
Aya:we end up maximizing and, you know, talking to the right people at the right time.
Ronny:Yeah.
Aya:And really getting them exactly what we need out there. So the reason I wanted us all
Aya:to connect on this call, and I know we're running out of time is one
Aya:I want us to kind of, like, we work a little bit, the content that's
Aya:on the deck right now because, like, my one said, and I've discussed this a little bit with him.
Aya:Deduct needs to be reworked so that
Aya:you know, it's it
Aya:give justice to to the script in a assertive of way, but
Aya:for it to also be appealing
Aya:from an industry standpoint as to what and how we're actually addressing people.
Aya:And with what
Aya:because we're gonna have to do a lot of, you know, follow up emails after these meetings are held
Aya:they're done, and there's a lot that we can consider. There are also
Aya:other cop production treaties that
Aya:know, we can explore within the territory of Australia,
Aya:or the partners of Australia on different other films, which I think would not
Aya:heard for us to really
Aya:you know,
Aya:go into meet people, introduce yourself
Aya:There are definitely people to avoid working with.
Aya:But it doesn't hurt to put the words out there.
Aya:Now the moment we're out there, and we're discussing and talking
Aya:you know, about the film. We
Aya:Can't really lose momentum on it.
Aya:A lot of times, a lot of films take ages to be made, and we all know that.
Aya:But realistically also on the grounds with everything going on.
Aya:We just need to maximize, like,
Aya:all the different
Aya:assets needed,
Aya:for this to happen. So, yeah, that's basically what I have to say.
Ronny:Okay.
Ronny:Come
Ronny:you should be a public speaker.
Ronny:Because you you said it so eloquently.
Aya:Thank you.
Ronny:Yeah. Look, I've sent I
Ronny:just be assured.
Ronny:Because it's Australian Ip.
Ronny:Right?
Ronny:There's writers, actors as, directors, talent,
Ronny:camera
Ronny:lighting sound,
Ronny:that we're... That's straight away forty percent. No problem.
Ronny:It's no problem
Maroun NAJM:Okay. And there's no copy... And there's no, like,
Maroun NAJM:a hard cap on the
Maroun NAJM:it's twenty percent the with the budget
Ronny:Yeah. Like, you know, I mean, George Miller, I made Mad Max
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:and they took three hundred million of the bastards, and they got forty percent for it
Ronny:do you know how to rain?
Ronny:Yes. Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. I'll just double. No no. I we I agree that it is
Maroun NAJM:significantly is Australia. This is
Maroun NAJM:is the.
Ronny:Of course
Ronny:what I did was I
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Yeah. And
Ronny:I just sent you whatsapp recording of Tracy talking about it.
Ronny:To.
Ronny:I sent it to you.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Okay?
Maroun NAJM:Okay. I'm on.
Ronny:Alright. Let let's just go
Ronny:because I don't know I hasn't got much time.
Ronny:Let's go to the point... Let's go to your point one. Right?
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Alright. What was the question? Because I
Ronny:in in twenty one,
Maroun NAJM:Okay. So the question is
Maroun NAJM:about kind of the core audience
Maroun NAJM:And, I'd like to define
Maroun NAJM:the core orders in a in a very narrow way.
Ronny:Okay. Well,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So core the core audience, the.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:Like,
Ronny:I don't like using it against, but I have to because
Ronny:of
Ronny:Anglo,
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:countries. America, Canada, England, Australia, We're Anglo Saxon country countries.
Ronny:Okay?
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:And I Use the Godfather as an example.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:When they made the guy, the Italians jumped.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:We can't watch this no way. This is not all of a talent, but italians flocked
Ronny:to the cinemas
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:So let's say ask.
Ronny:Lebanese dia.
Ronny:The the core audience is the Lebanese to ask because how many of the lebanese are
Ronny:burst out around the world.
Maroun NAJM:Yes. Yes.
Ronny:Ten twelve million.
Ronny:Okay?
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:Now
Ronny:Now then there's also... On top of that, there's also placement of
Ronny:other ethnic countries,
Ronny:Turkish,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:you know, Afghan, you... It's it's anyone who's been misplaced.
Ronny:You know?
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So even even Tracy said demi me, Ronnie, my my parents are Scottish.
Ronny:We had to we had to
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:Scotland. You know? So how we're gonna phrase that,
Ronny:something that... I don't know collect
Ronny:we have to work on, but it's to any person
Ronny:that as being misplaced. That's who it's for.
Ronny:Anybody.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. And
Maroun NAJM:I'd like I'd like to pinpoint it this further very quickly. Right?
Maroun NAJM:Because for me, like, the core audience is
Maroun NAJM:or I like to different define it by
Maroun NAJM:people that not only are going to enjoy the movie,
Maroun NAJM:gonna watch the movie. That's that's not a cool audience for me. The quote audience other the people are gonna
Maroun NAJM:kind of, drag other people to watch the movie with them.
Ronny:Yes.
Maroun NAJM:Right.
Maroun NAJM:If the people are gonna be activated in a way,
Maroun NAJM:that, okay. I read about the movie.
Maroun NAJM:Because I'm part of x and y circle, and that I'm gonna be the one that's gonna bring
Maroun NAJM:whole family with me
Maroun NAJM:to watch theaters.
Maroun NAJM:Right? And and these tend to be, you know, it's it's like
Maroun NAJM:five percent of the of the dashboard.
Maroun NAJM:Right? It's it's not it's not the whole last for. This could be five percent of
Maroun NAJM:ada four that that you want to target. And
Maroun NAJM:it has you know, maybe specific emotional triggers. Is that, you know,
Maroun NAJM:is it is it is it Billy. Right? It's the arch archetype of Billy. Is Billy when he
Maroun NAJM:sees himself in the film or hears about it in in a trainer.
Maroun NAJM:Is he gonna be, like, this is me? Is he gotta talk about it? I don't know.
Maroun NAJM:Like I'm not sure.
Maroun NAJM:Is it gonna be, you know,
Maroun NAJM:it's gonna be a specific scene that's gonna trigger these people.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So I'm I'm kind of trying... And, I'm I know we're not gonna get an answer, maybe
Ronny:Hi.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:right away, and it's gonna be something that work in progress. But
Maroun NAJM:but I'm... That's kind of the direction, and I want to think about that.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So I'm I'm I'm packaging. Right? I'm not touching the creative, but Not gonna touch any
Ronny:Which
Maroun NAJM:purely a packaging exercise. Right? How how how are we gonna
Maroun NAJM:we gonna present? I'm gonna say, okay. We're gonna have these, you know, five percent
Maroun NAJM:of Lebanese Dia. Are they're gonna be so activated by this film.
Maroun NAJM:That's gonna make x worldwide. Right? That's kind of my direction here.
Maroun NAJM:And how I'm going to have discussion with potential juice.
Maroun NAJM:And Have them have explain how I'm gonna reach them.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So I'm I'm making a a it's a small pool. Right?
Ronny:it's
Maroun NAJM:But I have to be very, you know, credible and and straightforward.
Maroun NAJM:And how I'm going to reach them and activate them.
Maroun NAJM:So... And when I do this exercise, I'm having discussion with you
Maroun NAJM:So, like, I don't go script. I don't go up message. Like, I really need to understand
Maroun NAJM:read it what the vision driving all of this.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. So we can, try. I I don't go script.
Maroun NAJM:Right? And going back to... Okay. You're saying Anglo saxon, I agree.
Maroun NAJM:Agree that this is kind of a global project, which kind of makes me question
Maroun NAJM:Okay. So
Maroun NAJM:what is the main component of it? Because
Maroun NAJM:Mean as the for this film,
Maroun NAJM:is is not, like,
Maroun NAJM:I'm not convinced it can do much.
Maroun NAJM:Bye?
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Like, I might be... I might be wrong. Right? It's
Maroun NAJM:I hope I'm wrong. But
Maroun NAJM:you know, I can see, you know, the comm and the
Maroun NAJM:the the the pulp scene and, you know, the the and, like,
Maroun NAJM:I I I don't know I don't know if that's something we gonna release logically inside.
Maroun NAJM:White?
Ronny:Is that because of
Ronny:like their laws and stuff.
Aya:No. It's just
Ronny:I Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
Maroun NAJM:It's relevant
Maroun NAJM:and it's it's. Right? So I think at Effects
Maroun NAJM:you know, with blood and the water. It's it's something fairly relevant. Right? It's something to speak
Aya:sensors censorship over here in the region and how it works.
Maroun NAJM:Right? And so so it
Aya:Guys.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Aya:I'm sorry.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Aya:I have to jump on another call that I have. I only had thirty minute
Aya:in between my break, but just to add
Aya:about this, like, the sensitivities is when it comes to
Aya:you know, certain scenes and certain elements, we can look into them
Aya:basically, advanced
Aya:once we figure out
Aya:how the money is coming in
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Aya:and where is coming in from?
Aya:Dubai, for instance, increased
Aya:their
Aya:their ratings to be able to include firms and not
Aya:sensor them. So then it depends on the rating of the film.
Aya:I'm not saying that some
Maroun NAJM:But but I I have I really have one question for you.
Maroun NAJM:Like,
Maroun NAJM:did you... Like, in in in your experience because we have, you know
Maroun NAJM:different experiences when it comes to that.
Maroun NAJM:Will will money come from the region if there is no
Maroun NAJM:you know, secured
Aya:thank you
Maroun NAJM:theatrical distribution in the region
Maroun NAJM:Like do you think it's they're related or not?
Maroun NAJM:In Opinion
Aya:Sorry. Can you ask that question again?
Maroun NAJM:you considering
Maroun NAJM:about trading money from the region.
Maroun NAJM:On this, if we cannot secure distribution in the region.
Maroun NAJM:When I say distribution, it it covers, you know, Egypt, Saudi, I mean,
Maroun NAJM:Your e is other the market. Right?
Maroun NAJM:But, like, the the real markets would be kind of Egypt
Maroun NAJM:so And Iraq.
Maroun NAJM:Maybe serial down the line. These are the real markets
Maroun NAJM:Jordan on unlock markets.
Maroun NAJM:At least not not. So I'm just trying to understand. In your in your view,
Maroun NAJM:gonna go and pitch this
Maroun NAJM:to mean a a producers
Maroun NAJM:or financier years. The house distribution in Nina,
Maroun NAJM:where... Are are you looking at the global distribution or no?
Maroun NAJM:Our distribution is important for you.
Aya:It is important, of course, because for these people that are gonna come and put
Aya:and the money from the Men, it's gonna matter to them, who's gonna see the film, how and what's your
Aya:stencils now. I can have another pass of the film and flag
Aya:Any content that I might
Maroun NAJM:Then that will be very helpful.
Aya:find a bit problematic for people.
Aya:But that... That's not just the essence of it. There are always ways to go around thing.
Aya:Like, the moment thing... For me, right now, the best strategy is to figure out
Aya:one how the money is gonna come in from who and who will put in that
Aya:money. That's actually very very important.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Aya:And another aspect for that too is
Aya:understanding in terms of expectations, let's say it's a film that's, you know,
Aya:I mean, right now, what I can tell you is that one, it's accessible two,
Aya:it has
Aya:cast that will be able to sell
Aya:three, it's meant to be a story of a Genre that's
Aya:most of the time is accessible to the people in the region.
Aya:Like, anything that's genre related to harder thriller,
Aya:and you know, something that's a beat will always have
Aya:a a more attractive
Aya:audience to go and watch these, then
Aya:know, doing a drama film that
Aya:you know,
Aya:even with a big casket kit
Maroun NAJM:But but also forget it's in English.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Aya:Yes. I'm not forgetting that, but it's also
Ronny:Net.
Aya:like, it it can work. But there's also
Aya:and Like ports where
Aya:you know, in the lebanon on parts hill, you'll hear a lot of
Aya:Arabic, and it also.
Ronny:All Arabic.
Aya:Like, there's a crossover
Aya:that you will see between actors, like, I discovered right this morning for
Aya:I came across iraqi actor,
Aya:that's on a prime video series.
Aya:Who's brilliant, literally. Like, his acting is amazing,
Aya:great skills, and I'm like,
Aya:we should be considering him. Like, I'm sure this is something he's gonna, you know, enjoy and
Aya:and, like, he's on a
Aya:period piece war kind of, like series that I personally have I've never watched
Aya:because I've never on
Aya:prime,
Aya:for Disney watching content. But I thought
Aya:like, that could be someone else that we can consider. He's got a great following.
Aya:He's originally Iraqi, Like, he can drive that traffic for us, which means
Aya:you lock in these names, potentially, you can go and find some money from that region.
Aya:But that film institute is trying to kind of copy what
Aya:we do a D, so I know there's a bit of money in Baghdad. Some people are trying to pick it up
Aya:you know, in terms of world of Cinema. So there are different strategies that we can, you know,
Aya:cater and put here. What... Because guys I really need to leave. I'm sorry.
Maroun NAJM:This is go ahead. Go ahead.
Aya:What I what I wanna ask is just
Aya:You guys can continue talking and discussing.
Aya:We'll work over the weekend on a deck, a strategy, and we'll set up all the possible meeting
Aya:that we can so that we can pave the way for these people.
Aya:What I really expect here of us is to be flexible enough to
Aya:manage the conversation depending on the people we have
Aya:front of us and who it is that we're actually talking with so that we can
Aya:Hundred percent maximize all odds in our favor on this film.
Aya:Basically, that's what I want to try and
Aya:say, and any case, Lebanon is not an option realistically where we can go and shoot to
Aya:can always re that part, and Jordan,
Aya:with... You know, like, I I was sent a film two days ago that
Aya:has one of the, you know, top
Aya:growing the... Sorry Titanium actress
Aya:who spoke fluently Lebanese accents and
Aya:thought that film in in Lebanon, which is great. So there is
Aya:talent there is potentially. We just really need to
Aya:look at who what and in what circumstances.
Aya:And I just wanna end a note saying and know, definitely, this film is
Aya:not a ten million film for me.
Aya:The film
Aya:that we did, previously, in Australia was at a two point five, I think,
Aya:mills, but I I think we can
Aya:reduce it slightly. One to guarantee, of course, what we can get
Aya:you know, in terms of expectations. But at the same time, I'm also not saying that's
Aya:a big budget, but we can also be extremely realistic. Like, I get it's expensive. I get
Aya:you know, we're gonna be spending so much money, but there's
Aya:a lot of ways where we can come in and also reconsider things
Aya:without compromising quality, value,
Aya:and are, you know, offering on on the film.
Ronny:Alright.
Aya:I'm sorry, guys. I have to leave because I have another meeting. I'm already late to that.
Aya:But you guys can continue talking. Ron, I'll catch up with you later. I wouldn't
Aya:feel free to reach out also later today in case you have more questions.
Aya:But for me,
Aya:you know, like, and think in the next two days, I really wanna lock
Aya:are way moving forward and how we go united possibly with
Aya:you know,
Aya:Vi.
Aya:That will help us get
Aya:where we want and to maximize
Aya:can, basically. That's what I wanted to say.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Go ahead
Aya:Okay. Thank you guys.
Ronny:Bye. Thanks.
Maroun NAJM:you receive a, like a transcript of of the discussion
Maroun NAJM:by email, what once we're done as well?
Maroun NAJM:So you'll have the phone
Aya:Sure.
Maroun NAJM:picture.
Aya:Thank you. Bye.
Ronny:Hi.
Maroun NAJM:Right. My.
Ronny:Alright. So look, I
Maroun NAJM:Alright.
Ronny:I think what we should do. Right, is,
Ronny:Let's just get the deck right.
Ronny:Right. How you feel
Ronny:you know, let's get it right. So then
Ronny:because I got a hand it to a designer.
Ronny:To get it right.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So then when we get to come,
Ronny:Right. But, you know,
Ronny:Mo, I didn't ask you,
Ronny:like percy you produce
Ronny:your your sales agent or
Maroun NAJM:So no my back the distribution.
Ronny:Distribution
Maroun NAJM:Right?
Maroun NAJM:So... I've done this in in the region abroad, for about fifteen years.
Ronny:Oh, wow.
Maroun NAJM:So, like, my my... What I'm adding here to the table is an
Maroun NAJM:which I think why
Maroun NAJM:I reached out is, I'm kind of the guy that's gonna go and
Maroun NAJM:proves
Maroun NAJM:the economics
Maroun NAJM:of a firm with an audience.
Ronny:Okay. Beautiful.
Maroun NAJM:And and that's... So the idea is it doesn't matter if the bottle is
Maroun NAJM:hundred million or or or or a million. Right? If if it's a ten million and I can prove, I can, you know,
Maroun NAJM:do pre sales at twelve,
Maroun NAJM:a good house.
Maroun NAJM:Right? Okay. How can I do please sell hold at twelve million? That's that's kind of the million dollar question.
Maroun NAJM:And this is where it really comes to details and kind of, trying to, you know,
Maroun NAJM:prove to a producer or a c producer a network a broadcaster.
Maroun NAJM:Whatever it is, that they're gonna get their one course.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So I only do very commercial. I... Like, I don't touch
Maroun NAJM:festivals. I don't... I'm I'm a market guy.
Ronny:Right.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So, that's kinda very, very far from what
Maroun NAJM:Iodine.
Ronny:Yeah. We'll check credit
Maroun NAJM:But but they're kind of complimentary in in this case.
Maroun NAJM:Just to keep things further.
Ronny:To credit, she told me about you straight away.
Ronny:Because I just called her.
Ronny:I friends with one of my friends. She goes to his bar in Beirut.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:She goes to Da he's got a coffee shop Sip,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Gym. He's my best friend.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:And he's got a bar and then he told, I made this very interesting girl. You should
Ronny:reach out to an Did, and we started talk
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:and we've been talking now since what.
Ronny:That
Ronny:Christmas,
Ronny:January,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay?
Ronny:she's like there's one guy?
Ronny:She only spoke... She goes there's only one guy that
Ronny:fucking works for the film, like Isa he really works
Ronny:four for it, like
Ronny:for sunday and he does it from his heart, and she was talking about you.
Ronny:So I'm... Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Can
Maroun NAJM:That that's that's very kind of... That's very kind of it.
Ronny:Tell Ban
Ronny:this biz this side of the business, Like, it gives me, like. I start going like this
Ronny:Even though my lebanese grain, the brain is here,
Ronny:and I can talk economics blah other
Ronny:my that that much. Tracy is more in doubt on that.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:But for me,
Ronny:For me,
Ronny:I know
Ronny:if I
Ronny:if I just
Ronny:get because I've I thought this every way anyone can think of it.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:I've been working on this for over fifteen years. Have it
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:and I know
Ronny:that
Ronny:I've... Fire asked five said this actor.
Ronny:Why have I chose this actor? There's always a method to the madness.
Maroun NAJM:Yes. Yes.
Ronny:Muscle an easy easy example. Daniel
Ronny:Okay?
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:I reached out to a agent.
Ronny:Her manager.
Ronny:Who agent loved the script.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Okay. Now I'm looking at Danielle. Okay.
Ronny:Now.
Ronny:Looking at it from a commercial point of view. I didn't know that she's got
Ronny:four million followers. It's ridiculous.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:You know, she's big in the Middle East, then her manager told me
Ronny:that they changed, between us to,
Ronny:they changed a, television series from a male character,
Ronny:to female character, and Netflix said, if you put her at female, we'll we'll do this.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:For that last social.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Right? So daniel your ara is Australian. For me, that's great.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:That's quite.
Maroun NAJM:Yep. Exactly.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:That's good for the produced offset.
Ronny:You know?
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:All the other actors
Ronny:Tony, he's not an expensive actor.
Ronny:He's not. I got a pitch... We gotta pitch this to Tony like,
Ronny:this is
Ronny:the film that you're meant to do. Like, this is
Ronny:like the Marlon and brando coming in for the Godfather.
Ronny:You know?
Ronny:Yes.
Ronny:No. Tony's of Lebanese Dna.
Ronny:Okay? He's a first second generation like me.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right? He grew up in the cedar like me.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:He went to films, you know, we have these similarities, and I
Ronny:think and he's not expensive. I almost got to him, but he's fucking agent
Ronny:said, I'm sorry. I can't do it.
Ronny:You know
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Say why, the plus
Maroun NAJM:one is
Ronny:I wrote a letter. I wrote a letter to him and I said, Tony
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:read this letter... We wrote a beautiful letter from me Nicholas.
Ronny:And next conversation we, I wanna put Nicolas on.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Yes, sir.
Ronny:My my collaborator. Man, this guy, like, a encyclopedia of cinema.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:He said
Ronny:He first he said, look, I said, come on, man.
Ronny:I'm I'm I'm a guy making a film. Tony's Lebanese. You know he's rude
Ronny:eleven. He always talks about his roots
Ronny:he wants to do something about his roots. Was up the arrow film festival of all in New york,
Ronny:Blah blah blah blah blah.
Ronny:Sending the... You know, at least, if you're not gonna
Ronny:sending the script,
Ronny:send the letter.
Ronny:Let didn't read the letter that I've written from Nicholas and myself.
Ronny:And then they wouldn't do it. They he said I can Try.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And then he went back to he's he's
Ronny:senior agent, Brian Mann, and he said Brian won't do it. But if I had money in the bank,
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:They do it. He probably even played the part.
Ronny:But I don't even know how much Tony's worth. I mean, what is it What is he worth? Is he worth?
Ronny:Four hundred thousand five hundred thousand. We.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:I'd... I'm trying to work out someone in America,
Ronny:that can get me to.
Ronny:And bypass all the bureaucracy.
Ronny:You know? He am about.
Maroun NAJM:It's gonna be w
Maroun NAJM:I mean, complicated. But just yes. I get what you mean. And we can we can
Maroun NAJM:We can definitely do something about this.
Maroun NAJM:If if that's
Ronny:Because modern I know agents. I know agents, they're fucking dogs.
Maroun NAJM:That's their goal.
Ronny:You I understand. I understand. But I understand.
Ronny:But also,
Ronny:like
Ronny:how many stories of an actor where the somebody goes in gives
Ronny:the actor of the script
Ronny:and he's going a... And like, and it's been an incredible story.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:You know? Like,
Ronny:This has come, I would have thought because of Nicholas,
Ronny:my my c writer. I would've have thought that that they would have snapped onto it. You know?
Ronny:Like
Maroun NAJM:They probably they probably didn't read it by the way.
Ronny:Yeah. Like
Maroun NAJM:The signal.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:Oh, I tell... I told them in emails. I told them in emails Was like,
Ronny:nicholas
Ronny:you know, the Fury road was, like, one like six Oscars
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:You know what I mean?? I I I don't think maybe on another the planet.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Maybe they're just, my. I don't know. So we just have to keep working
Ronny:But I I know. I know.
Ronny:You gotta trust me, habit.
Ronny:If we get him best,
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:one of the guys first,
Ronny:Del gobble will bite on.
Ronny:One
Maroun NAJM:No, definitely And let me let me just to,
Maroun NAJM:go back to the question and the emails
Maroun NAJM:like
Maroun NAJM:Two things.
Maroun NAJM:I it it would help me get my heads
Maroun NAJM:in the right in the right direction.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:First, I I wanted to ask about, you know, the theme end
Maroun NAJM:there's this load code, like, Great Men are Always Batman.
Maroun NAJM:And this is from from your this is from you. I'm just trying to
Maroun NAJM:to be in your shoes.
Ronny:Well, that that's already caller. That's a prove. Like, that's been
Ronny:for history. They say that great men are always
Ronny:you know, that they say that.
Maroun NAJM:That's that's load. It it... It's it's a full sentence.
Maroun NAJM:Start, you know,
Maroun NAJM:power corrupt,
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:absolute power, corrupt, Absolutely. Great men are always bad net.
Ronny:But
Maroun NAJM:That... That's the full full sentence.
Ronny:Yeah. But but
Ronny:tracy
Maroun NAJM:Is this the scene when you
Maroun NAJM:Is is this as... Is this a valid thing for you?
Ronny:Of course.
Maroun NAJM:Because you talk about legacy
Maroun NAJM:and and redemption, but it's it's too bland for most people. Right?
Ronny:Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Not accessible enough.
Ronny:He's the thing. He's the thing throughout the film.
Ronny:He's worried about. He's legacy.
Ronny:He's worried. If... Keeps going on,
Ronny:the whole family will crumble. They'll lose everything.
Ronny:But that's why we've said no legacy
Ronny:is worth on... No. It's worth honoring if it's stained by blood,
Ronny:You know, like,
Maroun NAJM:Yes. Yes.
Ronny:but he's so desperate for legacy. He's so desperate for it.
Ronny:And he gets to the church, and he... And the mon in your system,
Ronny:who the fuck you you are, man. I'm not giving you that.
Ronny:Guys but Look up.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:He might, but not me.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:You know? And he tries to say, but what about me?
Ronny:When I was on the port in Lebanon, when the militia dragged us sale,
Ronny:you know, what it. And but
Ronny:like, no. You met you had a choice.
Ronny:You had a choice.
Ronny:You know? So so maybe maybe along the along the parts of of the text,
Ronny:of the pitch deck
Ronny:we can put
Ronny:you know, great men I almost
Ronny:Tracy said, instead of writing
Ronny:Great. She wrote. Great men are almost guilty men.
Ronny:Oh,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:are always guilty man.
Ronny:You know?
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Because guilty leaves it up in the air, like, oh, guilty of what? What are they guilty of?
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:And you know? And that goes on
Maroun NAJM:But you see?
Ronny:steve
Maroun NAJM:But you see this is the kind of thing that is much more accessible
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:that's why I'm I'm bringing it up.
Ronny:I see you're saying, like, how we can
Ronny:we can put little bits because I've seen. But sometimes I look at them m and I go, fuck, man. These are, like,
Ronny:you know, like overs si. Oh, like... But but look, I'm happy to workshop, man.
Ronny:No problem.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:I just wanna get it right.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Okay. I'll I'll I'll try to
Maroun NAJM:I'll I'll I'll try I'll try to think of, you know, what would be the path... That possible
Maroun NAJM:you know,
Maroun NAJM:focus
Ronny:Yeah.
Ronny:Yes.
Maroun NAJM:that that we can use that we can or a narrative that we can get people on board with.
Maroun NAJM:The the second question is... And by the way, like, the whole
Maroun NAJM:frame in the middle is is very interesting. Like I I I I don't know what
Ronny:Which one?
Maroun NAJM: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.
Maroun NAJM:The the the disable
Maroun NAJM:the children's story,
Ronny:Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:Yeah
Maroun NAJM:I'm, like, I was... Is this mythology? Is this, like, I'm never heard of it before. But yeah.
Ronny:Was it's probably Greek mythology. That was Nick.
Ronny:What I would like to
Maroun NAJM:I don't know. I don't. And this
Maroun NAJM:And and this the second thing that I really need your input on is
Maroun NAJM:like
Maroun NAJM:be all the self phones with, you know,
Maroun NAJM:Like, what would be this three
Maroun NAJM:seems that
Maroun NAJM:I'll kind of... Let Say your favorite, but, like,
Maroun NAJM:that you're most looking forward to
Maroun NAJM:because
Ronny:Okay. Alright.
Maroun NAJM:This is great for god.
Ronny:Yeah. Okay. So
Maroun NAJM:You you put him... You you tell him, this is how we gonna do this.
Maroun NAJM:And this is how the people get on board.
Ronny:Yeah. Alright. So probably probably the epic scene when the wedding
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:in Lebanon. That escape
Ronny:is when I
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:vision the escape. To me, that escape
Ronny:is one big orchestra.
Maroun NAJM:Okay okay.
Ronny:It's ninety two piece of music.
Ronny:Know, I'm and I'm think about this.
Ronny:They start off in the mountain.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Right. It starts off.
Ronny:The beginning of the film is well I don't forget on that... The goat is chomp on the hash.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:You know? Now, if you fast forward fifty years,
Ronny:when they're at the end of the film,
Ronny:That land, right.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Is a grave site now.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Okay? And then also,
Ronny:when you're talking about here, like,
Ronny:Gangster does, they always fight over what. They always fight over one thing.
Ronny:Territory tough.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:You know? And that's like
Ronny:That's the the analog of the turf of Hash.
Ronny:He took his turf.
Ronny:That was his little... He was... My grandfather used to grow. It was a little bit. Tobacco
Ronny:I was like,
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:like enough, like,
Ronny:five or ten square meters. You know what I mean?
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Yeah.
Ronny:That that's what it was.
Ronny:Know, but I took it to another level. We wanted to make it like one big pat
Ronny:and, you know, But, again, it's just for the people to smoke.
Ronny:That's it.
Maroun NAJM:Yep.
Ronny:But he sees the general sees business.
Ronny:He needs to grow his his militia.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:He needs the Go Hall? How am I gonna grow this mission, make some money
Ronny:So he takes it off him.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Raw his wedding takes it off him.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right? But the scene when they escape
Ronny:on the wedding night.
Ronny:And she gets shot on the peer.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:On the oldest port in the world,
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:The oldest one of the oldest civilizations in the world
Ronny:You know? I thought about putting in tripoli, but,
Ronny:but it's image bad for a reason, in be lost for reason.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:I think that seen is paramount.
Ronny:That that... That's one big paramount thing. And then
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:the other scene,
Ronny:is the family
Ronny:in the beginning,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Where do we come from? L dna is family
Ronny:Night. Sometimes, I wish I didn't have a big family.
Ronny:You know? And I believe, I believe the one thing in the world that we got is
Ronny:family
Ronny:And this is... The also the one thing that people are trying to destroy
Ronny:families,
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:You know, the bond of family.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:That whole that whole entire
Ronny:holy in. It's like,
Ronny:Thirty different frames, but one continuous event.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:One continuous event.
Ronny:From the dress
Ronny:the analogy of the seams
Ronny:when the holy came union, shit... That's the what... And he's looking at her
Ronny:thinking about
Ronny:Leila on the port, the white dress.
Ronny:The old man.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:You know? And then another thing that and I'll leave I'll leave you with this one is
Ronny:is
Ronny:The two forces here are incredible.
Ronny:You have male one female.
Ronny:This man has fought all his life.
Ronny:He's sick. He's tired Da. Da.
Ronny:You know, all he wants is redemption.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:Okay. He wants redemption. What does she want?
Ronny:Revenge.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So you've got these two magnets of redemption versus revenge.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Maroun NAJM:Last question
Ronny:Yep.
Maroun NAJM:timeline.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:What are we looking at? Like,
Maroun NAJM:like, I understand you want, you know, as soon as possible. Yes, but, like, realistically,
Maroun NAJM:you want to, you know, lock the budget in the next six months. You want to start shooting next year.
Maroun NAJM:Like
Maroun NAJM:what would be an ideal kind of
Maroun NAJM:timeline for you.
Ronny:What what do you mean? To to get the money in all that?
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Like time, let's say, when do you wanna release this? Because
Maroun NAJM:like
Ronny:Javier. If we got the money tomorrow,
Maroun NAJM:Yeah.
Ronny:I mean, I mean, I don't know. But I do know
Ronny:that
Ronny:I'll leave that into God's hands. It all plays on
Ronny:on the money. But all I do
Maroun NAJM:But I mean, you have the money
Maroun NAJM:where you start tomorrow? That's my question
Ronny:Of course, beer production straight away.
Ronny:It
Maroun NAJM:Okay. And and and and Nicolas is directly.
Maroun NAJM:Hello?
Ronny:Well, I I'd want Nicholas to direct.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right? Because
Ronny:I want you to speak to him. I wanna organize a call.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right. This one you to see
Ronny:the wise in this man.
Ronny:You know?
Maroun NAJM:I'm sure.
Ronny:No. I want you to see it for yourself, Having the humility in this man.
Ronny:Right?
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:And he's never wanted
Ronny:to direct.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:He's always stayed behind
Ronny:He's that opportunities?
Ronny:But he's like,
Ronny:if you were let... Like, obviously, like I mean,
Ronny:Technically, he's more advanced than me
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:Right? But it'd be both of us, it'd be both of us, but he's the driver.
Ronny:Right? And we're just all or, I'll be the driver. He's the Na.
Ronny:There's no right or wrong.
Ronny:But I want him
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Let let let me put it
Maroun NAJM:Let me put it a different context.
Maroun NAJM:There is an award who getting the word
Maroun NAJM:you have
Ronny:Nick.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:Yeah. Out of respect.
Ronny:Ag go. I can do
Maroun NAJM:Okay. I'll.
Ronny:I get a hundred of watts. We both go. I have no problems. You know, if someone said,
Ronny:nick nose. He Nick nose,
Ronny:that hey guys, if there's someone bigger, like, if it's a Dennis Ville love or blah blah blah,
Ronny:you know?
Ronny:But
Ronny:I said, well, what if somebody said, we want ronnie to direct.
Ronny:My thing would be like,
Ronny:He's he's attached to me. A be behind me.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:He's George miller... He's George Miller ghost.
Ronny:Nobody knows.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:He's doctor miller ghost.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:You know?
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:I'm I'm happy to admit. That's why
Ronny:and, you know, I play I play Vincent,
Ronny:Right?
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:I gotta a Have a come back here and I start rehearsing for a plate if I'm gonna do it.
Ronny:And then you know, like, for me,
Ronny:people have I've tried to take this script off me
Ronny:try to... I've been
Ronny: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:Alright. I don't I don't I know. I've I've
Maroun NAJM:on that.
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Down
Ronny:Yeah. So... So now we're at a point, and now I've got Tracy Meg.
Ronny:She is big power this woman for us. You know like,
Ronny:She looks after every decision I.
Ronny:Everything goes through her.
Maroun NAJM:We.
Ronny:Right? And she only cares, and she's a good woman.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:She's a fucking good woman.
Ronny:Right? Now
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:For me, it's
Ronny:you know, my... Like, you know, the age... My agent was saying to me look,
Ronny:Looking you know, why why use you need to start
Ronny:telling people what you want. So, like,
Ronny:Steven Spielberg presents, George Miller presents, Darren in ar presents,
Ronny:I have Ronnie Mo presents. That's it.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:You know what? That's enough for me.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:That's enough for me. You know?
Ronny:But
Maroun NAJM:Correct.
Ronny:Let me know when you can do a Zoom with Nick.
Maroun NAJM:He's not coming to Can. Right?
Ronny:He's not coming no.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. Look, let let me let me dive into this
Ronny:Yep.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Because we we're short on time. Let me
Maroun NAJM:focus right now on on
Ronny:Sure.
Maroun NAJM:the audience.
Maroun NAJM:Try figure out, you know, archetypes, help we can find them,
Maroun NAJM:what would direction be kind of that kind of thing.
Maroun NAJM:I'm gonna try to, you know, build as much
Maroun NAJM:I would say pre say projections that I can, and then we'll work on the budget back.
Maroun NAJM:Right? So I say, okay.
Maroun NAJM:I can I can tell this in Mexico? I said this in Brazil. I can tell this in the state.
Maroun NAJM:We you... We can sell this in Australia, which I don't know much
Maroun NAJM:Okay? I'm not counting a lot on the region to
Ronny:Just
Maroun NAJM:Like, I might change my mind. Okay. Depending on how it goes, but right now, I'm not
Maroun NAJM:Sorry?
Ronny:know, they... They say never trust them man That says trust me.
Ronny:But on this occasion, you have to
Ronny:You have to
Ronny:Remember, I said this?
Ronny:It's gonna go
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay.
Ronny:It's gonna go off in lebanon. You wet and see.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Fine. Yes. Ne. Yes.
Maroun NAJM:Lebanon sleep.
Maroun NAJM:Lebanon definitely.
Maroun NAJM:Kevin has not a market.
Maroun NAJM:Never is not the market.
Ronny:So that I know that. And in the in the gulf.
Ronny:Because of
Ronny:You're gonna... We're gonna get collectively all of us.
Ronny:We're gonna get the best of the best in front of camera.
Ronny:And we're gonna have the best of the best behind the camera.
Ronny:And something special will happen. That's when we make magic.
Ronny:Because everybody's on the same fucking page
Ronny:we're one big family. Everything we do is one big family.
Ronny:You know?
Ronny:So
Ronny:but I'm I'm anyway, You let me know. I'm on message whenever you
Ronny:fucking need anything.
Ronny:Call.
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Okay. What
Maroun NAJM:I was just hud like
Ronny:Alright, I'm so glad on
Ronny:Fuck, I'm so glad on
Maroun NAJM:Yeah. Too.
Maroun NAJM:Me too me too, it was a wind pressure.
Ronny:And my number
Maroun NAJM:And I'll I'll I'll see you soon a couple of days.
Maroun NAJM:Life
Ronny:Yeah. I'll see on come
Ronny:Oh, if you have the... Where are you staying?
Maroun NAJM:like
Maroun NAJM:It's a way. It's... I'm not the inca itself. I'm paying in
Ronny:Oh, okay.
Maroun NAJM:I... I'm training with.
Maroun NAJM:Yeah, it's cheaper.
Maroun NAJM:Yes.
Ronny:No. Totally understand, I I I looked at stuff. I keep on getting denied.
Ronny:I'm staying about
Ronny:about
Ronny:One kilometer way?
Ronny:Less
Maroun NAJM:Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So... But in the city or in, outside the city,
Ronny:Nines in the city.
Maroun NAJM:But
Maroun NAJM:Okay okay.
Ronny:My room is the
Ronny:Yeah.
Maroun NAJM:Alright. Alright.
Maroun NAJM:Okay.
Ronny:So go back to Lebanon.
Ronny:Alright.
Maroun NAJM:And yes,
Maroun NAJM:when you're back and when you're back, we're gonna do probably do, you know, something here.
Maroun NAJM:But that would be great.
Ronny:Yeah. You know, I'm gonna try and also make... Have
Ronny:Nadine Is there
Ronny:I know her husband's on the jury. I know Nadine.