Sunday April 15, 2007, at 6:30 PM

Please note that we have included two short films:
The Tip and Hassan by Kayvan Mashayekh
in our program. The screening starts at 6:30 and the DVD
of The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayam will be
avaiable for sale for those interested to purchase it.

SPECIAL GUEST: Kayvan Mashayekh

The Keeper:
The Legend of Omar Khayyam

A film by: Kayvan Mashayekh

To start, click the above picture

Kamran is a 12 year old boy in the present day who discovers that his ancestor is the 11th Century Mathematician, Astronomer, Poet of Persia, Omar Khayyam. The story has been passed down in his family from one generation to another, and now it is his responsibility to keep the story alive for future generations. The film takes us from the modern day to the epic past where the relationship between Omar Khayyam, Hassan Sabbah (the original creator of the sect of Assassins) and their mutual love for a beautiful woman separate them from their eternal bond of friendship. Filmed almost entirely on location in Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

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Listen to the Music from Motion Picture:
The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayam

To Start, Click The Picture

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Kayvan Mashayekh immigrated to Houston, Texas at age 11 from Iran. He graduated from Rice University in 1989 with a BA in Economics and Managerial Studies. After taking a year off to start an entrepreneurial business venture, he attended South Texas College of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1993.

He began practicing as a criminal defense lawyer in Houston, but after three years, quit the practice of law and enrolled at the New York Film Academy to pursue his lifelong dream of writing, producing and directing. He created Guide Company Films as a result of the mild success of his first short film, "The Tip." His company is dedicated to the advancement of the independent film movement by concentrating on human interest stories that have international appeal.

Mr. Mashayekh has written, produced and directed his first feature film called “The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam” which was shot in Five Cities and Three Continents in a remarkable 37 days of actual filming. Filmed primarily in Bukhara and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the independently financed, non-studio backed film has an international cast including world renown actors such as Vanessa Redgrave, Rade Serbedizja, Moritz Bleibtreu, Diane Baker, and C. Thomas Howell.

The film commenced its theatrical run in movie theaters across the US beginning in June 2005 and ended up playing in 14 US cities for nearly one year. In addition to its Box Office success, the film raised nearly $200,000 for Children’s and Cancer Charities in Houston, New York and London, England as a direct result of it’s non-profit screenings.

Mr. Mashayekh has also guest lectured film studies courses on independent films at various universities in America. He is currently on a public affairs lecture circuit throughout the U.S. to promote the importance of keeping family historical values alive from one generation to another.

The film was an Official Selection at the 2005 Moscow International Film Festival. This year it has received two prestigious Golden Lioness Awards for Excellence in Directing and Costume Design from the World Academy of Arts, Literature and Media in Budhapest, Hungary. “The Keeper” screenplay has also been selected for the permanent script collection of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Additionally, the Mayor of the City of Houston proclaimed July 26th, 2005 “Keeper Day” in a public ceremony at City Hall. This unique honor was in commemoration of Mr. Mashayekh’s outstanding contribution to the cultural diversity of the City as direct result of it’s charitable gift to Texas Children’s Cancer Center of $91,000 from the screening of the film at its Premiere.

For more information please visit: www.keepermovie.com

The film is also available for rent through Hollywood Video and Netflix.

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