The Making of An Independent Film: “Faisal Goes West”
Making an independent film takes blood, sweat and tears. And scrounging up the financing can be a major challenge. So, young American filmmaker Bentley Brown decided to take a different approach to make his latest feature: “Faisal Goes West”.
BackStory took a closer look at the challenges involved in making “Faisal Goes West” – a story about a Sudanese family that immigrates to America – from concept to completion.
An American in Cuba
In recent years, you've seen CNN's coverage of events in Cuba fronted by our friend, Shasta Darlington, but Shasta has moved on to a post in Brazil... and friend-of-BackStory Patrick Oppmann has taken over in Havana. Being the ultimate self-sufficient reporter that he is, Patrick documented his entire journey to Havana... including his long wait for a truck load of belongings to show up. Take a look...
Also, be sure to check out one of our all time favorite Back|Story pieces from CNN photographer Jose Armijo and, then, Havana producer David Ariosto as they made one of the most unique commutes we've seen back in 2009:
Big economic boom in Basra
Not all regions of Iraq have been impacted by sectarian violence. The oil hub of Basra is seeing a big boom in economic growth. Frederik Pleitgen takes us to Iraq's second largest city.
While in Basra, Frederik Pleitgen discovered that the sport of boxing can transcend language barriers... And it turns out Fred isn't bad in the ring!
Keep in touch with Back|Story on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @BackStory. Also follow CNN's Fred Pleitgen on Twitter @FPleitgenCNN.
Documenting Mexico's cartel culture
For more on photographer Shaul Schwarz visit his website: www.shaulschwarz.com
For updates on these and other stories find Back|Story on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BackStory.
Part one of this interview can be found here: http://on.cnn.com/yehh9x
American Volunteer takes Afghan Orphans on a Road Trip
for more, keep in touch with Back|Story on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BackStory
The New York Giants win the Super Bowl
The atmosphere in New York was full of excitement after the Giants won the Super Bowl. American football is serious stuff for sports fans. Sebastian Castro had a bit of fun in Times Square with the excited crowd.
Richard Roth met some fans in Lower Manhattan who were still excited about the win days later. Here he is talking to fans and dodging bathroom tissue.
Taking a stand for worker's rights in China
For more on Li Qiang and China Labor Watch find his organization online at www.chinalaborwatch.org
Keep up with Back|Story on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BackStory
Breast Implant Health Scare
The founder of a French company that makes breast implants linked to a health scare was charged Friday with involuntary injury. Jean-Claude Mas, founder of Poly Implant Protheses, or PIP, has been released but is under judicial control, meaning he cannot leave France. He has not been charged with the more serious offense of involuntary manslaughter.
PIP implants have sparked health scares in Europe and South America. A French attorney representing women with implants welcomed the arrest, but said it could have come sooner. The company has been under investigation since 2011.
Atika Shubert and her producer Saskya went around Southern France to investigate what is going on with PIP and how this all could've happened.
We also spoke to Dr. Grant Stevens, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, who talks about the problems he's had with PIP breast implants and how to keep yourself safe.
Talking about Oil: The U.S., Iran and the tension over the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz have been effective in the past.
On the word of E.U. sanctions, Crude oil prices rose and worldwide demand for gasoline isn't declining anytime soon.
Ali Velshi spoke with Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Spencer Ackerman who writes for the Danger Room blog on Wired.com.
Here are the two parts of that chat below:
Related post: CNN's Tim Lister explains why the Strait of Hormuz is so strategically important and why tensions are rising there.
To stay up-to-date on all that Back|Story is doing, join our active community over on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @BackStory
About The Revealer
A new Back|Story series that unearths fascinating new secrets about places and stories you thought you knew. Every other Thursday on Back|Story“The Revealer” Game
Join the action on our new series, “The Revealer.” Use the photo clues to figure out what the subject of this week’s episode will be. Click on the picture to the left for more.
