Elias Matar

Unique traits: Fluent in Arabic. I directed and produced films shot in 10 different countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece and Eastern Europe. I have incredible connections to indie filmmakers in many of these countries.

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  Children of Beqaa (2018)
  Film (Documentary) Producer Children of Beqaa documents director Elias Matar and his daughter Lyla, traveling to the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon in June of 2016 to work with Salam LADC, a local NGO. Here in the Beqaa, there are over 500,000 Syrian refugees who have been living in a state of limbo for the past 5 years. These refugees are left in the dark; they have no country, nearly no rights, very little education and not enough food. Children of Beqaa gives a voice to the refugees, who just want their stories to be heard.

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  Exodus (2017)
  Film (Documentary) Producer Exodus documents the harrowing journey of Syrian refugees as they cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey into Greece. Over three thousand refugees attempt this treacherous crossing everyday, seeking asylum in Western Europe. It's a life and death gamble that they are willing to take for a chance at a new life away from their war-torn homeland.

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  Gordon and Milo (2017)
  Film (Short) Cinematographer When Gordon loses his wife, he becomes lost in his loneliness. Milo, the young boy who lives next door, understands the feeling all too well. Through an unexpected friendship, they rescue one another.

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  Flight of the Refugees (2016)
  Film (Documentary) Producer 'Flight of The Refugees' documents the harrowing journey of various families as they cross the Macedonian border from Greece to Germany. Over seven thousand refugees start this journey everyday seeking asylum in Western Europe. We bare witness to six of those days.

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  Ribbons (2016)
  Film (Thriller) Producer A wounded young soldier and a psychologically damaged girl get caught in the crossfire between her estranged family and an Armenian hitman.

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  Restoring the Spirit of Los Angeles (2014)
  Film (Documentary, Short and Drama) Producer An actor, a musician, and a muralist all have one thing in common; they all come from the mean streets of Los Angeles. Raised in a world where gangs, drugs and violence are the norm, these artists attempt to rise above their situation by using art as an instrument of change, not only for them, but also their communities. In the words of street muralist Raul Gonzales, 'wherever you come from, art is an expression. Art is connected to the human spirit. It helps us deal with our reality. Art can heal a lot of wounds.' With all of these personal hardships, these artist have found a way to turn adversity into inspiration. Written by Anonymous

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  Freeze (2013)
  Film (Short, Adventure, Fantasy and Music) Camera and Electrical Department A seemingly naive and quiet DJ transforms a club with her music and transports the crowd to a fantasy world.

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  By Any Means Necessary (2011)
  Film (Documentary, History and News) Cinematographer In the heat of the Rodney King Riot many memories were made, some more gruesome than others. Now almost 19 years later, people are beginning to share their experiences. From South Central to Palmdale, recollections of the 1992 riot are being pieced together to recreate the image of Los Angeles at the time. A non biased film, this strings together the views of people throughout LA and by doing that, it helps us understand why LA fought back. Written by Lyla Matar

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  Butterfly (2010)
  Film (Horror and Thriller) Producer Butterfly is a suspense/horror hybrid about NICK COLE, a straight-to-video horror director who is kidnapped by, LANEY, an over zealous fan, determined to impress him with her own film project. The situation goes from bad to worse when Cole realizes that the murders in Laney's film are real, and that the victims are all people from his own dark past. Written by Edward E. Romero

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  Ashes (2010)
  Film (Horror, Sci-Fi and Thriller) Producer The cure is worse than the disease. An earnest young doctor working on a cure for AIDS unwittingly invents an aggressive new bacteria that deteriorates the body and induces a thirst for blood. Now he must stop the infection before it turns him and everyone he loves into the walking dead. Written by Elias Matar

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  Chingaso the Clown (2006)
  Film (Short, Fantasy and Thriller) Producer The province of Messiah was once rich and prosperous in agricultural land. At some point in time, clowns and mimes rolled in, bringing the joy and wonder of a circus big top. Upon the last evening, while everyone watched, a small group of clowns stormed and looted the province of Messiah. The clowns enjoyed themselves so much that they never left. What followed was the organization of the clowns and mimes. They offered protection to Messiah's citizens in exchange for money. The mimes began to gather amongst themselves. They felt oppressed, so they rebelled. This was the beginning of Messian War between the clowns and the mimes. This war has raged for decades and there seems to be no end in sight. Now a man named Chinaco whose parents were victims of the ruthless clown boss, Bastard the Clown, must become what he hates most. In order to avenge the death of his parents -- and possibly end the brutal war between the mimes and the clowns -- He must become... CHINGASO THE CLOWN Written by E. Matar

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  Abandoned Minds (2002)
  Film (Short and Adventure) Director Add a Plot »

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  Tormenta
  Film (Action, Horror and Thriller) Producer HEROES ARE BORN OF FIRE AND RAIN. Esteban Rivera spends his nights hanging from rooftops and overpasses, covering gray concrete with murals depicting heroic struggles and forgotten heritage. He is infamous throughout the neighborhood by his graffiti signature, TORMENTA. His true identity is known only to his younger brother, Javier, who documents Esteban's exploits with his digital camera then posts the videos to his website. When their father, a humble gardener, is gunned down in the streets by a vicious gang, Sangre Azteca, Esteban and Javier are determined to find out why. But the gang doesn't like anyone snooping around their operation, especially now that a drug cartel from south of the border is making a play for the neighborhood. Now, Esteban and Javier must go from street artists to saviors of the street as they battle with the gangs, the cartel and their own father's mysterious past. Written by Elias Matar