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Ramak Niakan Safi: This is Life

Ramak Niakan Safi: This is Life is a short documentary about a religious refugee from Iran who came to the United States with nothing but a soccer ball at his foot, which is all he had ever needed.

  • Jack Trent
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Biography
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 22, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
    Chagrin, Ohio
    United States
    October 7, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Spotlight Documentary Film Awards
    Atlanta, George
    United States
    Winner Silver Award
  • Jacksonville Film Festival
    Jacksonville, Florida
    United States
    February 6, 2021
    Southeast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • First Coast Film Festival
    Jacksonville, Florida
    United States
    Official Selection
  • All American High School Film Festival
    New York, New York
    United States
    November 9, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    United States
    November 5, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Miami Independent Film Festival
    Miami, Florida
    United States
    Official Selection Monthly Edition
Director Biography - Jack Trent

Jack Trent is a student documentary film director who hopes to bring people closer to God by producing true documentary films that inspire, educate and entertain. At the Florida Film Academy, Jack received invaluable teaching from two documentary veterans who produced and edited hundreds of documentary films and programs for BBC, Fox, National Geographic and other international networks. Currently enrolled in Florida State University, Jack will graduate in the year 2024.

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Director Statement

Ramak Niakan Safi: This is Life is the first short documentary I've directed and it was a long but rewarding process. I first met Ramy when I was very young. He was an incredible coach and we became very good friends as the years went on. I started this project because I thought it had the potential to make for a good story; it took me a while to realize how important Ramy and his story truly were. As the documentary progressed through each step, my passion grew for the project. I think his story touches on many important themes like immigration, being a foreigner, having unrelenting perseverance and giving back. These themes are woven through a life of soccer, which to me (and Ramy), is the beautiful and universal game. I think the whole documentary leads to Ramy's humble words "I want to be the coach that I didn't have".