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How a 19-Year-Old Refugee in Indonesia Became an Animator on Pharrell’s New Movie

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How a 19-Year-Old Refugee in Indonesia Became an Animator on Pharrell’s New Movie

As a movie lover who deeply appreciates the power of stories and their ability to transcend borders, I find Amir Mahdi Qurbani’s journey incredibly moving. His resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring, and his talent for animation is nothing short of remarkable.

In his youth, Amir Mahdi Qurbani would sell stories to his mother, who wasn’t able to pay him much due to her limited resources as the sole educator of a small home-based school in Tehran. One story that held a special place in his heart was about a space cowboy, who had the ability to travel across the cosmos, embark on interstellar adventures, and explore uncharted galaxies. “He could traverse the universe, experience freedom, and all sorts of exciting things,” says Qurbani, now 19, speaking over video call from Jakarta, where he resides with his parents and siblings in housing provided by a refugee agency.

He doesn’t recall many details about the journey that led them to Indonesia nearly a decade back. Instead, he remembers an overwhelming sense of anxiety, uncertainty, and darkness. As for their destination, he isn’t certain if it was Australia, but his parents often expressed their intention to find a place where he could have a more promising future and truly belong. Among the things they left behind in haste, he managed to keep his beloved Lego pieces, which were not just toys, but a source of countless stories for him.

Up until now, the family has primarily relied on funds from international refugee aid organizations, which Qurbani estimates is approximately 600 Australian dollars ($400) per month. Due to restrictions, they are unable to work for Indonesian employers or attend school. Formal education for Qurbani ended when he was 9 years old. Despite these limitations, their parents purchased an ASUS laptop, and Qurbani along with his brother and sister have been striving to continue their education, learning English and acquiring animation skills through this device.

Originally, Qurbani’s vivid imagination and passion for Lego caught the attention of a wealthier patron than his mother: Hollywood. Now, Qurbani is among many animators whose work can be seen in the biopic of Pharrell Williams, “Piece by Piece.” This movie tells Pharrell’s life story using only Lego pieces as animation. It showcases Pharrell’s upbringing in Virginia Beach, how music offered a way out when he felt out of place at school, and how his struggles—including his unique ways of thinking—led him to success.

In the film, Qurbani created over 400 characters primarily for crowd scenes and brought to life a Lego replica of Pharrell’s camouflage Louis Vuitton outfit (as seen in the poster). Coincidentally, Qurbani is a fan of Pharrell. “His music is incredibly calming and inspiring for all my projects,” he shares. “I never thought I’d be able to combine two things I love: Lego and Pharrell.

Through Tongal, a creative link between filmmakers and industry opportunities, Hollywood and Qurbani crossed paths. This platform helped Qurbani, an aspiring artist lacking connections in the industry, connect with potential projects. In 2022, when Hollywood, which Qurbani had initially discovered through Lego-related social media pages years ago, announced a search for character animators for a Lego project, Qurbani seized the opportunity to present his innovative ideas, portfolio, and some 3D digital models. Within a short span, he received a call offering him the job under a non-disclosure agreement, though he was allowed to share the news with his family. “We were thrilled beyond words to receive such an offer,” he recounts. With Tongal, Qurbani had already completed projects for WarnerMedia, but “Piece by Piece” marks his first theatrical release—and the first theatrical film ever produced in partnership with a creator platform.

Qurbani expresses that he has drawn motivation from Pharrell’s perseverance in overcoming his difficulties, having himself faced numerous hardships as a multigenerational refugee family. Amir’s grandfather, belonging to the Hazara community, was forced out of Afghanistan into Iran due to decreasing rights for Shia Muslims. His parents and siblings were born in Iran but were denied citizenship and a means to acquire it or legal employment. Amir’s mother taught refugee children at her small home school, while his father worked as an untrained electrician until they managed to save enough money to pay smugglers for their escape. Like many refugees, they reached Indonesia, but were unable to proceed further due to a lack of funds and no offer of asylum from other countries. Stranded in Jakarta with no resources, they have been unable to move on.

Each morning, following a brief run in a local park, Qurbani invests time in enhancing his education as much as possible. Afternoons find him tackling any tasks that require attention. Post dinner, the family gathers around their computer to watch movies they find online for free. “Given the chance,” he shares, “we’d love to purchase a TV.” For the moment, any spare money Qurbani has earned has been directed towards acquiring the most robust laptop available, a MacBook Air, where he creates all his animations.

For Pharrell’s project, he was tasked with creating outfits and designing characters from various time periods. For instance, he explains, “I was asked to imagine an outfit suitable for a 1960s Florida beach party.” He goes on to say that he was asked to develop a total of 10 characters for the scene. Finding references online proved challenging for him, but he persevered and ultimately created his own unique designs. First, he sketched them out on a pad, then refined those sketches into 3D versions on the computer. Some of these characters were later used in a promotional game that allowed players to design their own characters for the movie.

Qurbani candidly acknowledges that it’s been tough not to succumb to feelings of despair. “There are numerous instances when our hope fades, as we find ourselves in a state of limbo,” he shares, his voice quivering with emotion. “We’re trapped here and there seems to be no escape. We feel like we can’t live as normal humans, which makes hopelessness a constant companion.

For the moment, much like how music provided Pharrell with a route when his education was struggling, animation serves as a means for Qurbani to realize at least one aspiration: bringing something into existence that the world can observe. Wiping away tears, he regains his optimistic demeanor. “My parents often say that I will eventually find a place,” he says. “I will eventually find a place where I can truly call home and become citizens there.” And now, he has a glimmer of something more. “I am beginning to hope that my talents and imagination can help me construct a better life for myself and my family,” he declares. He may not be a space cowboy yet, but he has reached the launchpad.

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2024-10-10 17:06

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