Dream – a documentary series

Short Synopsis for Dream: 

Dreams. A cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal; an unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy. The two definitions could not be more opposed. In Dream, the filmmakers explore stories on both ends of the spectrum and ask the question: if anything were possible, what dream would you build your life on?

Film Locations:

Tabora, Tanzania
Mexico City, Mexico
San Diego, USA
Vancouver Island, Canada

Episode Storyline breakdown:

• Robb Nash was in a bone-shattering collision at 17 years old, his skull was crushed, and medics pronounced him dead at the scene of the accident. After numerous surgeries and intervention his pulse returned and he woke up. Bitter from the loss of his dream to be a successful musician, and reeling from the pain of recovery, Robb eventually found that his purpose was to inspire people, particularly youth, and talk about mental health through his music. He has now been handed over 800 suicide notes after inspiring thousands of concert goers to live life fully.

• Bryan and Katie Torwalt are Grammy-nominated artists with Jesus Culture Music. Their smash hits include “Holy Spirit” which has been recorded numerous times and won a Grammy Award for the performance by Francesca Battisteli. The Torwalt’s take the filmmakers on tour across America, where the balance of leading worship and connecting with an audience nationwide becomes a greater challenge as parents of a newborn, with baby on board for their US tour. A story about how faithfulness and excellence will lead you to your purpose.

• Paul Yin is the award-winning author of Explosions of Joy, a memoir about the grief counsellor to families of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370. After dropping out of one of the most prestigious post-secondary institutions in Asia as a young prodigy of 16, Paul moved to America. Paul’s story details the events of his life, including his fight to change the culture of China in regards to the field of psychology, that led him to play a prominent role in one of the most devastating and mystifying tragedies which left a wound felt by many around the world.

• Brittni De La Mora was once a Top 12 Star in the adult film industry. She lost her way as a youth, chasing after acceptance and approval in an industry that quickly became a nightmare. After multiple suicide attempts and drug addiction she needed to get out. Follow her journey of redemption to living her true dream, empowering women to live bold and free.

• Rock’n’Roll hall of famer Phil Comparelli is the former lead guitarist of Canadian rock band 54/40 and co-writer of the chart-topping songs “Ocean Pearl” and “I Go Blind”. Phil left the band at the height of their success due to substance abuse issues. His story exemplifies the journey of building a dream, succeeding, losing it all, and starting over. He is now writing and playing music again, and his new band is featured in the film. His dream was not to be famous, rich and successful. His dream was to play music.

• Monybany Dau shares about the harrowing journey he endured as a Lost Boy of Sudan, before becoming a child soldier under the SPLA during the brutal Sudanese civil war. He explains how his ability to dream became possible after immigrating to Canada, and he inspires the audience to take advantage of the freedom they have to dream big, and if they are still trapped as he was as a child, to believe that freedom is on its way.

• At the centre of the narrative is a 10-year old boy named Elijah and an 18-year old young woman named Milka. In 2018 Elijah raised money for 2 sewing machines for a small family in Tanzania. 3 months later he was teaching them to sew on peddle operated machines in their house. Today Milka’s dream of attending University is becoming a reality through this unique partnership that exemplifies the power of purpose and calling in association with our dreams.

The very act of dreaming requires risk. Dream reveals the stories of famous and everyday people and takes a look at successful, aspiring and lost dreams.

The series seamlessly weaves the life lessons and dreams shared by famed interview subjects with the storyline of aspiring youth from Africa and North America. Dream suggests that you either live your dream or you live somebody else’s, and the series challenges viewers to create dreams big enough to build their life upon. Because even the smallest dream, when connected to your purpose, can change everything.