5Q's w/ Rami Kodeih "Alina" Director

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it in less than 140 characters?

As Nazis separate children from their parents in the Warsaw Ghetto, a gang of women risks everything to smuggle their friend's baby to safety. (Or, how one festival described it — women kicking Nazi ass.)

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

It’s inspired by true events and has a wonderful cast, including Alia Shawkat (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, SEARCH PARTY), Edin Gali (MAD MEN), Dorota Puzio, Rebeca Robles (BETTER THINGS), Erika Soto (VIDA), and Mark McCullough (LOGAN LUCKY)

#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.

I fell in love with movies as a child of war, stocking up on VHS tapes from a bodega. More recently, I’ve written and directed narrative shorts and documentaries have screened around the world, including the Director's Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, BFI, Aspen Shortfest, and Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. I’m an alumnus of the Sundance Feature Film Program and Berlinale Talents and love to tell stories that both entertain and can have a positive social impact.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

Never give up.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

We’re currently on the festival circuit and hope to continue telling the story of these heroic women any way we can going forward.