Private Project

GUILLOTINE

THE GUILLOTINE was built on the ideals of The Enlightenment, an attempt to instill grace to an otherwise brutal expression of justice. Organized within 5 factual tales, we examine the Guillotine's role in history, from The French Revolution to the Fall of Saddam Hussein. At times humorous and ironic, poignant and thoughtful, these stories also reflect the morality of their times, tracing the philosophical attitudes about capital punishment, and the power structure that allows it to be. From a necessary evil to cold-blooded amusement, the blade falls with no less detachment.

  • Ray Izad-Mehr
    Director
    GUILLOTINE, THROUGH MY FATHER'S EYES: THE RHONDA ROUSEY STORY
  • Sara Vahabi
    Writer
    GUILLOTINE, A SHARP
  • Uriah Herr
    Producer
    Waterkeepr
  • Tamas Birinyi
    Producer
    Active Shooter, Happiless
  • Sara Vahabi
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Television
  • Genres:
    Historical, Dark Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    125,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DIGITAL, ARRI ALEXA
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Love & Hope International Film Festival
    Barcelona
    Spain
    September 16, 2023
    World Premiere
    Best Feature Film
  • Newfilmmakers Los Angeles
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 21, 2023
    North American Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Mind The Gap Sales and Production
    Sales Agent
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ray Izad-Mehr

A refugee of the Iran-Iraq War, Ray Izad-Mehr settled in Los Angeles as a child during the winter of 1983. Filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, Douglas Sirk, Steven Spielberg and Mel Brooks shaped the narrative stylings that later informed Ray’s work.

He started in the film business with stints at William Morris Agency, Universal Pictures Marketing, and the Development office for famed comedy director John Landis. It was Landis who took an interest in Ray’s career, and encouraged him to complete his education. With a $1000 check from his mentor, Ray gained admission to the local university completing his degree in Film Production at California State university Northridge.

He formed his production company while in school, and directed/produced over 150 music videos and short films. Most recently he co-produced and DP'd the award-winning feature length documentary on global sports sensation Ronda Rousey (THROUGH MY FATHER’S EYES, winner Crystal Palace London International Film Festival). Ray has now shifted his attention to developing several new narrative projects which has culminated in his feature film directorial debut, GUILLOTINE.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

GUILLOTINE is the culmination of my cinematic influences, an opportunity to showcase my love of history, comedy and yes, fascination with the Guillotine. Told over the course of five vignettes, Guillotine is a chamber piece. Each chapter was designed with a specific, complimentary aesthetic and with a stylistically diverse filmmaking style in mind. Working with extreme budget limitations, we challenged ourselves to never compromise the craft, instead striving to make an engaging, entertaining and thought provoking film that also makes a compelling social commentary.