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IN REEL LIFE

A Blog by Reel Nation Media

News, behind the scenes, insights, stories, reviews, and other fun stuff.

NEW FILM: Sally's Iron Mustangs (With Screenshots)

Mar 14, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Apr 11, 2022

My latest film follows the endeavors of a senior bodybuilder promoting strength for seniors in her community. Reel Nation Media members will receive updates and future screening information via email.

Sally Winchell stands in a large weight gym under several American flags — Sally's Iron Mustangs, Coming Summer 2022

The Story

In February 2022, I began film production on Sally’s Iron Mustangs, a tentatively-titled, short documentary in my latest initiative to promote health and wellness after the COVID-19 crisis.

The film will follow the story of Sally Winchell, a 64-year-old bodybuilder, and nutrition buff, as she ambitiously builds strength and nutrition programs in Lancaster, PA. Her endeavors will inspire discouraged seniors to revive their passion for well-being and even compete in powerlifting competitions.

Screenshots

More About Sally

Sally is the wellness center director at Bright Side Opportunities Center (BSOC), a non-profit organization in Lancaster, PA, created to address the unique needs of southwest Lancaster City by offering a wide range of services and resources to provide opportunities for all. Sally is also the owner of Nutrifreak, a wellnes brand dedicated to "teaching the generally healthy population good nutrition, how to make permanent lifestyle changes, and how to live the clean eating lifestyle."

Director's Statement

Sally Winchell (Left), Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz (Right)

I believe that hardship is inborn to every human life; we are vulnerable to succumbing to pain and heartbreak. Despite this, I believe that every person has a unique strength residing inside of them. Through reflection and tenacity, we all have an opportunity to manifest our potential and reframe adversity into an opportunity for healing.

Ultimately, I want my audiences to feel encouraged by Sally’s story to become stronger and question themselves: “Have I given up on myself? What can I be doing to build myself and rise to life’s challenges?” I want my audiences to realize that, despite the growing pains it takes to rise out of a depressed state of being, there is joy, love, and happiness in the journey to manifest one’s strength. In the end, the pain for the gain is worthwhile.

What to Expect

The film is halfway through production and is expected to be submitted to film festivals and distribution platforms in June 2022. In addition, Reel Nation Media will host a “film kick-off” event in April 2022. The event will feature the first teaser trailer for the film, a Q&A with me, and open networking.

How to Get Involved

Visit the film's webpage to watch the teaser, preorder the film, register a screening, or read up on more details: www.reelnationmedia.com/sallysironmustangs

For future details on the film and kick-off event, interested audiences can become a member of Reel Nation Media for free. They will receive regular news updates and access to exclusive content.

Signing up for a membership can be done at https://www.reelnationmedia.com.

ABOUT REEL NATION MEDIA

Reel Nation Media is an independent film production company owned and operated by director Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz. The brand focuses on “conscious media art,” authentic stories that heal its artists and audiences. In 2022, Reel Nation Media aims to produce original short films exploring personal strength and calling for empathy for the worldwide family displacement crisis.

Stand Up (Wrestling Documentary) now Free to Watch on YouTube

Dec 18, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Dec 19, 2021

I'm happy to announce that I published Stand Up on YouTube during Thanksgiving this year— 5 years after its theatrical release.

The Story

Stand Up is an intimate wrestling documentary that follows CD East High Wrestling, an underdog team battling Pennsylvania's elite District III tournaments. Their hopes of making it to the state championship for the first time in 5 years lie in two seniors, Cevon and Joe, who are best friends, goofballs, and unrelenting wrestlers. The 80-minute sports drama encompasses what it means to be a wrestler during the ups and downs.

Watch the trailer at the following YouTube link:

https://youtu.be/gEVxKmlW_wc

Where to Watch the Full Film

The full official release of Stand Up is public at the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/MdCkW80q4ho

If you loved the film and know anyone who would benefit from watching it, please let them know where to see it!

What Stand Up Means to Me

In my six years of competing, wrestling taught me tenacity, grit, and what it means to accept your best efforts. However, it wasn't until my career ended (after a serious injury) did I fully realize these earned traits. The sport meant everything to me. When I lost it, I was heartbroken. It took time for me to heal physically and emotionally. It took years of reflection to accept how the sport improved my character. I set out to capture that aspect of wrestling; the spirit of never quitting, becoming stronger through hard work, and overcoming unavoidable challenges.

I couldn't think of a better story to represent that spirit than that of my high school alma mater. It was a team with inexperienced wrestlers, but they made up for it with their heart and love for one another. I witnessed how that love transformed teen boys into mentally tough men who were ready to wrestle through life's trials. While filming Stand Up, I wanted to capture the wisdom of defying defeat and share it with the world.

Director Abu-Mahfouz (right) Interviews Joe (left) and Cevon (right), Two Leads

Why Release the Film For Free?

As of the year of this re-release, 2021, the wrestling community has lost much from the COVID pandemic: be it a year of competition, an entire wrestling program, or more personal loss: health, well-being, jobs, or loved ones.

Aspiring to reclaim the wrestling spirit for wrestlers and myself, I made Stand Up free to watch on YouTube. As an artist who strives to heal and inspire with his work, I felt obligated to make this choice so that the film will reach and help as many young wrestlers as possible.

I also felt it necessary to publish on YouTube due to the film's dramatic relationship with its distributor, a now-bankrupt company called Distribber. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2019 while still owing filmmakers like myself thousands of dollars. Consequently, streaming platforms such as iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu removed any films related to Distribber. Long story short, Stand Up entered a distribution limbo because of its relationship with a company that did not fulfill its service to filmmakers. Audiences were quickly unable to access the film on their favorite platforms anymore.

My Gratitude to YOU

I want to wholeheartedly thank those who have purchased Stand Up on DVD or Digital Platforms. Without you, I could not have sustained myself and continued my work throughout these years.

To the CD East wrestling family, thank you again for honoring me by allowing me to tell your story.

To both new and returning audiences, I have arduously crafted this movie with my heart, sweat, and tears for you. I hope the story entertains you, reaches your heart, and rekindles your love for the sport of wrestling. I strive to share conscious entertainment that inspires and heals with my independent studio, Reel Nation Media. If you would like to follow my future work, please become a member of my site to receive regular updates. If you prefer to subscribe on YouTube, click this link. You may also follow me on Instagram at @abdullah_abumahfouz.

Don't stay down. Defy defeat. Stand Up.

Keep it Reel!

Director Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz

These Artists Use Music to Heal Themselves and Women in Need (NEW mini-doc)

Jan 5, 2021
2 min read

Written by Director Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz

Tyler Jazz, a musician, and Krisztina Szabo, a graphic designer, volunteer to play and sing Christmas music at a women's shelter. Both of these amazing artists, who have been victims of domestic abuse, use their talents to heal others and themselves.

Tyler Jazz (left) and Krisztina Szabo (right) sit next to each other before they practice music. — Tyler Jazz (left) and Krisztina Szabo (right)

How To Watch

This second episode of our Reel Artist series was published on January 4th, 2021, and can be seen for free only on the Reel Nation Cinema page.

Production Story

The goal of this episode was to find a story where an artist challenged himself to accomplish an altruistic goal. I wrote this intention on my Facebook wall, and Tyler responded with what he was trying to accomplish at the Shalom House. After having a coffee with him and understanding his volition, I knew that his story deserved to be told.

Director Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz, Tyler, and Kirsztina — Abdullah, Tyler, and Kirsztina

During filming, Tyler was open with his process; he showed me, in-depth, how he warmed up, practiced, and finished his session. Since I pretty much filmed all of this, my challenge in post-production was to find the emotional core of the story and then jettison everything else out in order to meet the 5-minute-limit this series has. Tyler’s story was so meaningful that I could have easily included more; it was difficult to delete a few great scenes.

What’s Next

Consider checking out Tyler's music and Krisztina's art at the links below:

Donate and help shelter women and children at the Shalom House: https://shalomhouse.net/

We are currently searching for our next subject for episode 3.

If you are enjoying this series and if you’re interested in seeing more, please let me know on the Feedback Forum and make sure you’re a member at Reel Nation Media to get first news on new content and watch exclusive films for free.

Keep it Reel!

About Reel Nation Media

Reel Nation Media was founded in 2014 by Daniel Roy Bills, Lauren Houdek, and Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz. In a world of billion-dollar franchises, binge-watching, and viral videos, they saw the lack of media art that was altogether authentic, fun, and healthy for audiences striving to be conscious and sincere with their media consumption. The motion-picture and art studio will continue to create entertainment crafted to heal and inspire audiences.