Petition asks Asif Ali to read prison screenplay

More than 2000 women sign petition demanding a firm commitment from  Asif Ali (film producer) to read screenplay addressing Texas judicial system

Asif Ali – Talent Agents
– Actor, Producer, Writer – Wrecked (2016), Mr. Robinson (2015), The Mandalorian (2019), WandaVision (2021) – Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ryan Fereydouni – AF Entertainment, Mohammed Ali

Dumbass, Mean Cuisine

Asif Ali & Adam Sandler’s film company targeted by Texas petition

Will Hollywood just rollover and let prisoner’s suffer?

EXCLUSIVE

The signatories, including state senators, professors of criminal justice, social workers, family, and inmates, call for a “firm commitment” to tackle the unjust prisons in Texas. The petition has also been signed by Beto O’Rourke, and Matthew McConaughey. These two signatories might face each other in the 2022 Texas governors election. Both have expressed interest in the job.  The petitions arrived for Asif Ali at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ryan Fereydouni last week.

In the open letter to Asif Ali, the 2080 women write that they are “heartbroken for first-time drug offenders many times addicts who have received extremely harsh sentences in Texas when rehabilitation has proven a cheaper and more effective solution.”  The petition goes on to say their family and friends are often heartbroken for and looking for redemption and rehabilitation for the victimless drug crimes.”

The signatories, including attorneys, professors, politicians, family members, and inmates, call on Asif Ali for a ‘firm film commitment’ to tackle the issue of operating the Texas prison system for profit.

The petition came to light when women discovered the screenplay, a copy which was dontated to all 580 of the state’s prison and jail libraries. The existence of the petition surfaced on International Women’s Day. Women in Texas face extreme prejudice in Texas and often receive extremely harsh penalties for even a small amount of drugs, including marijuana. Marijuana is legal now in 21 states.

Inside prisons, the women are faced with such horrendous conditions… the petition demands that “filmmakers begin to take the issue seriously.”  Also, the petition reminds that “even here in the USA in the 21st century citizens are not safe from government oppression.”

Actor, Producer, Writer, Asif Ali, has not responded to the petition. Nor has Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ryan Fereydouni responded with a comment.

The screenplay “Dumbass” was penned by writer and retired professor of political science Alan Nafzger.

The premise of the story is that, “Adam Sandler writes letters and saves numerous women from the monotony of prison life, and later when he gets into trouble with a drug cartel they return the favor by rescuing him.”

The film would be set in contemporary, Gatesville Texas. There are four women’s prisons located in Gatesville. And of course, Texas is famous for putting everyone in prison for a long sentences for little or no reason. The number of women in Texas prisons has tripled in the last ten years, as mass incarcerations have proven profitable to not only the state but also profitable for an array of business interests.

Writer Alan Nafzger has called on Governor Greg Abbott to, “end the prison industry.”

Recently, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak spoke out against the Texas system and put a good word in for mercy and forgiveness out on social media. “How nice for those who have lived such exemplary lives that they can express glee when others have their lives ruined by a mistake, real or perceived,” Sajak tweeted last month.

The petition states, “Why don’t we have the ‘Adam Sandler’ character… sending letters to women in prison and being their friend and trying to help them adjust, giving them hope… and when they get out of prison he picks them up so they don’t have to ride the smelly bus back home… but his pickup truck is a junker, smoking and sputtering … worse than the bus. But his heart is in the right place… He’s the last “chivalrous” man on earth.”

Asif Ali has not commented on the script, thusfar. A statement is expected soon.

Professor Nafzger has made a short treatment of the project available online.

He has made the finished script available at for select filmmakers.

Jana Sandler of Happy Madison Productions has also expressed interest in the screenplay.

Asif Ali is a Actor, Producer, Writer known for Wrecked (2016), Mr. Robinson (2015), The Mandalorian (2019), WandaVision (2021) and is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Ryan Fereydouni.

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2) Warren deals with his dilemma internally, not externally. Instead of learning to cook, clean and take care of himself he deals with it internally.

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1) Warren Schmidt’s innermost thoughts are conveyed primarily through voice over (V.O.).

Just as good storytellers will be sure to make it perfectly clear what the main character’s inner and outer desires are, these storytellers will also be very clear about what we HOPE and FEAR for the main character. Generally, what we hope for the character is the same as her or his INNER NEED. In It’s a Wonderful Life, we hope George Bailey will defeat Mr. Potter. We fear Potter will drive George and his family into ruin (and George possibly to suicide). Our fear for the character should be the absolute worst case scenario: in a drama, mystery, or thriller we’re talking madness, suicide, death, ruin, or even the end of the world. (This is also what is AT STAKE). In a comedy or romance, the stakes are more likely the loss of love.

HOPE/FEAR and STAKES

Now, there’s not always an Offer S/he Can’t Refuse, and you might get the idea from all of these examples in a row that it’s a somewhat tricky thing to do because it can just seem corny or over the top. But even if there is not an Offer S/he Can’t Refuse, there will definitely be a Statement Of the Stakes (or a visual representation of the stakes that speaks louder than words, but it’s always best to spell these things out!).

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