A time-bending short film makes its way to the small screen. Mobius ring It has been acquired by Watermelon Pictures, which will shorten its new streaming service Watermelon+ starting today. It can be viewed here.
Mobius ring It hails from director Lee Mosa-Peterkin and spans three time periods. There is the 1970s, where the scientist (Jay Abdou) discovered the ability to see the future. There are years later, when the inventor is on his deathbed. And there is the present day, where the inventor’s granddaughter (Dalia Rooney) is trying to unveil his technology.
Musa Peterkin, a Palestinian-American, shot the film in California over just three days in November 2023 during the early days of the Gaza War during Israel’s bombing response to the October 7 attacks.
“It was very difficult in October when we decided whether we should start production, because of the atrocities coming from Gaza,” he says. “my wife [producer and script supervisor Anna Dale-Meunier] And I struggled with the motivation to photograph anything. Then it felt like an obligation. Part of the goal was to show what kind of heroes Palestinians can be.”
The film had multiple technical challenges, but first and foremost was shooting three time periods, each requiring its own set design, wardrobe and props, and doing it all in three days of shooting. They filmed at Elysian Park, Martin Sound in Alhambra, and the Pine Mountain Club, an hour and a half north of Los Angeles.
Moses Peterkin planned closely with cinematographer Jack MacDonald, set designer Melissa Lyon and costume designer Nina Rocklin to make the film happen. “I used 3D versions of real-world locations in Unreal Engine to prepare with department heads, create the shot list, lighting planning, design and logistics. We couldn’t have made our days and all the time periods work without them,” notes the director, who is currently writing a feature-length version of the script.
Mobius ring The film arrived at Watermelon after making the festival rounds last year, earning honors at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival and screening at festivals such as the Micho Film Festival and the Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Watermelon Pictures is a new company from brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, who focus their work on Palestinian stories. They supported the Oscar-nominated film Hind Rajab’s voice Among the films they are working on is a Palestinian horror film Visitor.
As for Moses Peterkin, he is happy to be with Watermelon. “I loved it,” says the director of the distributor’s pedigree Palestine 36, Teacher, All that’s left of you and Hind Rajab’s voice. All the films are from last year only.”
