Director’s Statement:    Sam Mirpoorian, director, writer, producer, and editor of SAFE PLACE

 

“I thought I had seen it all in filmmaking. In particular, working on projects in the Midwest exposed me to quite a lot. Then came along Safe Place. Since 2018, I’ve been working on my debut feature documentary, Greener Pastures. Through that film, I built many relationships, and through these connections—a group of film professionals from Kartemquin Films brought Safe Place to my attention. Jason Stephens of this group of contacts determined I was the individual to make Safe Place. The film would be a documentary – short quick production schedule: thirteen interviews conducted in seven days with one month edit to completion. I became the writer, director, producer, lead cinematographer, and editor to make the film from start to finish. With support and guidance from Jason, I felt prepared to produce this film. I jumped in, and everything fell into place. Jerod’s family opened up to me, and I gained access to the public deposition videos. What I uncovered was a maddening and saddening story – but also a thought- provoking one that I hope can lead to change. In fact, it changed my own life and my focus on filmmaking. Personally, the most apparent predisposition I wanted to prove wrong revolved around police brutality. Over the last few years, some of the most severe abuse of power stories I have heard focused on people of color. Safe Place exposes us to events that take place with a white male, and my discovery injustice does not have color boundaries. I also found an even bigger issue – rural jails are the most susceptible to this injustice. My backyard in Indiana revealed rural justice trends in the lack of understanding, educational training resources, and leadership. Add improper abuse of power, and we have a recipe for tragic endings like Jerod’s. I often felt confused, helpless, and frustrated making this film. I wanted to understand why this happened to Jerod and what I could do for others. In the end, I hope Safe Place gives my audiences an empathetic point of view, opening hearts and minds to these issues. I am grateful for this opportunity to make this film – in Jerod’s memory and in the hopes that it can help others like him in their quests for change and justice.”

—Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian, independent filmmaker,  Indianapolis, Indiana           workofmiro.com

Vicki Budd, mother of Jerod Draper.

Director’s Statement:    Sam Mirpoorian, director, writer, producer, and editor of SAFE PLACE

 

I thought I had seen it all in filmmaking. In particular, working on projects in the Midwest exposed me to quite a lot. Then came along SAFE PLACE.

Since 2018, I’ve been working on my debut feature documentary, GREENER PASTURES. Through that film, I  built many relationships, and through these connections—a group of film professionals from Kaetemquin Films brought SAFE PLACE to my attention.

Jason Stephens of this group of contacts determined I was the individual to make SAFE PLACE. The film would be a documentary—short quick production schedule:  thirteen interviews conducted in seven days with one month edit to completion. I became the writer, director, producer, lead cinematographer, and editor to make the film from start to finish.   With support and guidance from Jason, I felt prepared to produce this film. I jumped in, and everything fell into place. Jerod’s family opened up to me, and I gained access to the public deposition videos.   SAFE PLACE is a 19:13 minute film experience— a stunning, thought-provoking, maddening, and saddening story. It changed my life and my focus on filmmaking.

Personally, the most apparent predisposition I wanted to prove wrong revolved around police brutality. Over the last few years, some of the most severe abuse of power stories I have heard focused on people of color. SAFE PLACE exposes us to events that take place with a white male, and my discovery injustice does not have color boundaries.   I also found an even bigger issue—rural jails are the most susceptible to this injustice.

My backyard in Indiana revealed rural justice trends in the lack of understanding, educational training resources, and leadership. Add improper abuse of power, and we have a recipe for tragic endings like Jerod’s.

I often felt confused, helpless, and frustrated making this film. I wanted to understand why this happened to Jerod and what I could do for others.

In the end, I hope SAFE PLACE gives my audiences an empathetic point of view,  opening hearts and minds to these issues. I am grateful for this opportunity to make this film—supporting Jerod and others like him.

—Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian, independent filmmaker,  Indianapolis, Indiana