For FriendsGiving Day, Give the Gift of Zazu Dreams (cross-cultural climate justice book)
For Adults and Intergenerational Dialogue, hardcover coffee-table book with 130 original paintings & 400 endnotes, 2024 Foreword by Vandana Shiva, Endorsements by Noam Chomsky, Paul Hawken (see below)
Zazu Dreams: Between the Scarab and the Dung Beetle, A Cautionary Fable for the Anthropocene Era is a cross-fertilization tale of decolonization and environmental justice. It is divided into 2 sections—image and narrative, as well as about 400 endnotes of scientific, economic, historical, and literary references. All the human characters in the story are actual historical figures. In his dreams, Zazu, an Arab-Jewish boy travels the globe on a humpback whale, crossing both temporal dimensions and international borders—overlapping vast space and time.
Foreword by Vandana Shiva
Endorsed by Noam Chomsky, Shock G Humpty Hump, Rabbi Lerner, Eve Ensler, James E. Hansen, David Orr, Paul Hawken, Thom Hartmann, and Bill McKibben among other activists, and scientists. See here for details.
Zazu Dreams unravels the complexities of our climate crisis as it celebrates our interconnectedness through indigenous wisdoms, economic, literary, environmental science, and historical resources. Lush illustrations by Sephardic artist, Micaela Amateau Amato, and encyclopedic endnotes explore the intersections between the sciences and humanities. Intended to ignite dialogue and collective action, Zazu Dreams is a combination of magical realism and an interdisciplinary resource guide. Our tale is a mosaic of mythology and reality, urging dialogue and collective action as we face converging urgent issues of our time.
Zazu Dreams: Book-to-Film Animation/ Documentary Trailer
We are delighted to announce our new trailer for the book-to-film animation/ documentary, animated by Thomas DaSilva.
Help Bring Zazu Dreams to Life: A Feature-Length Animated Film
Join Us in Creating a Visionary Tale of Cultural Harmony and Environmental Stewardship
We are thrilled to invite you on a transformative journey to turn this richly woven narrative into a captivating, animated film. This project is not just a film; it's an invitation to envision a world of ecological balance and cultural respect. Henry Giroux writes: “Zazu Dreams reclaims the power of language as both a poetic intervention into politics and storytelling and as a powerful force for reclaiming the radical imagination. [It] moves across disciplinary borders, collapses genres, unsettles how we think about the planet. ...The book cries out to be adapted to the screen.”
Vision for the Film: Our goal is to create a visually stunning animation that honors the book’s vivid imagery and profound themes. The film will be a journey through vibrant landscapes and dreamscapes, highlighting the beauty of cultural diversity and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Why We Need Your Support: Animation is a powerful medium but creating it is resource intensive. Your support will fund:
Professional Animation: Collaborating with experienced animators to bring the lush, intricate world of Zazu Dreams to life.
Voice Acting: Casting voices that can authentically represent our diverse characters.
Music and Sound Design: Crafting an original score and soundscapes that complement the story’s emotional and thematic depth.
Post-Production: Ensuring the film's quality through meticulous editing, color grading, and effects.
How You Can Help:
Donate: Every contribution brings us closer to our goal. Choose from a variety of rewards that we’ve prepared to thank our backers.
Share: Spread the word! Share our campaign with friends, family, and on social media. Every share expands our community and potential support.
Connect: Join us in discussions and events as we develop the project. Your feedback and enthusiasm mean the world to us.
Impact of Your Contribution: By funding this film, you're supporting more than just art. You're fostering a message of peace, understanding, and environmental responsibility. This film aims to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences around the globe—encouraging a future where humanity and nature thrive together.
Special Rewards for Supporters
$25: Digital download of the original soundtrack and a special thank-you video from the team.
$50: Above rewards plus an exclusive HD digital poster.
$100: All the above, plus a limited edition Blu-ray of the film.
$500: Receive a “Special Thanks” credit in the film, plus all previous rewards.
$1,000: Join us for a virtual meet-and-greet with the creators, and receive an autographed copy of the book.
Thank you for considering a donation to bring Zazu Dreams to life. Together, we can make this dream a reality!
Contribute through Venmo: @Cara-Alhadeff (4547) or Paypal: carajudea@gmail.com
See video description for Harvard Divinity School, 2022: Indigenous Wisdoms, Reclaimed Action: Love Lessons from Zazu Dreams
From my maternal and paternal lineage, a Ladino proverb for today, on ThanksGrieving/ FriendsGiving, 2024: Ande komen dos, komen i tres (Where two people eat, three people also can)
Micaela, Zazu, and I were fascinated and stunned as we listened to David Levine’s AI production–a word-for-word, but radically reorganized overview of Zazu Dreams:
Both tantalized and totally disoriented, we are including this AI-generated conversation to publicize our book that, amidst our many interwoven topics, explores techno-euphoric, cyber-addicted realities. Are we self-serving hypocrites or have we embodied the pluriverse?
