Private Project

Mission

SYNOPSIS
“Mission” is an intriguing story focusing on the mysterious identity and contemporary enterprise of James, an elderly European racketeer infamous for decades of illegal activities, including such sinister activities as gun-running and smuggling of contraband, throughout Africa with principal focus on Ethiopia.

The story unfolds as the convoluted memoirs of an Ethiopian orphan, Lucy, who was adopted, at an early age, by a foreign school teacher in her village. Now, an adult ex-soldier, Lucy seeks revenge for the brutal murder of her adoptive mother.

Other important character-driven relationships are introduced as the plot unfolds: e.g., the generational schism between James, his son and his grandson; and Taffere, a renowned Ethiopian Chief of Police and his wife, Enatnesh, who initiates her own investigation into the events implicated in the death of her son.

Along the way, the audience is introduced to the scenic and historical glories of Ethiopia; indeed, “Mission” offers the viewers a delightful travelogue-like compendium of Ethiopia’s geographical and cultural exotica.

Also, a lovely romantic musical interlude in music video format focuses on an innocent dupe bamboozled into James’ evil enterprise as he becomes enamored with an equally gullible young woman assigned to spy upon the perpetrators of James’ ongoing criminality on Ethiopian soil.

SPOILER ALERT
The Third Act - The Electrifying Reveal: James’ gang is engaged in international human trafficking for child pornography. Thus, “MISSION” AWAKENS THE AUDIENCE TO ONE OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY’S MOST REPUGNANT EVILS. In essence, "Mission" serves as an important Public Service Announcement.

  • Memekiyaye Deneke
    Director
  • Memekiyaye Deneke
    Writer
  • John Archer Lundgren
    Writer
  • Memekiyaye Deneke
    Producer
  • John Archer Lundgren
    Key Cast
  • Faven Ressom
    Key Cast
  • Jemanesh Solomon
    Key Cast
  • Teklu Weldemariam
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 37 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 13, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Ethiopia, United States
  • Language:
    Amharic, English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • none
Distribution Information
  • none
Director Biography - Memekiyaye Deneke

Memekiyaye Deneke, the creator and director of “Mission”, having been born in Ethiopia, migrated to the United States where he obtained American citizenship and earned an advanced college degree while attending film school, where he, first, conceived the basic scenes leading to the production of “Mission”.

Later on, with various cast and crew in tow, he travelled back and forth to Ethiopia on several occasions to film the preponderance of the scenes that make up the "Mission" drama.

It should be noted that subsequent to graduation from college, in a noble acknowledgement of gratitude to his adoptive country for the new life and opportunity afforded him, Memekiyaye enlisted in the United States Army, underwent airborne training and served a tour of duty in Afghanistan; upon returning for duty in the United States, he suffered a devastating injury (i.e., a fractured vertebral column) during a multinational training exercise; thereby, obligating him to a prolonged state of convalescence.

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