THE UNBREAKABLE TATIANA SUAREZ (2024)
Produced by Michèle Ohayon
A documentary feature directed by Cassius Corrigan, edited by James Pilott, story producer Lauren Morales, music by Roman Molino Dunn; HBO, SMAC Entertainment, Dantsu
This uplifting documentary chronicles the exceptional spirit and drive of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tatiana Suarez as she prepares to reenter the cage after nearly four years away from the sport. Suarez reflects on her journey from wrestling prodigy to professional athlete and the legacy she leaves young women, particularly those in the Latina community.
Now Streaming on Max
STRIP DOWN, RISE UP (2021)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Edited by Edward Osei-Gyimah, music by Lili Haydn; A Netflix Original
This feature documentary follows women of all walks of life, all ages and ethnic backgrounds, as they shed trauma, body image shame, sexual abuse and other issues locked in their bodies, and embark on a journey to reclaim themselves. The film also gives a rare window into the world of Pole artistry and expression.
PRESS
Strip Down, Rise Up Review: Pole Dancing Without Polemic - Variety
Strip Down, Rise Up Discovers Life-Altering Strength From An Unexpected Source - Awards Radar
Now Streaming on Netflix
In Production
WOMEN ARE SACRED
Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Directed by Melinda Janko; Fire in the Belly Productions
A documentary feature about about missing Native American women, a silent crisis that most Americans do not know about. It follows the resilient Native women who are fighting for justice for their stolen sisters: the prayer warriors, marchers, families, and policymakers. Featuring stories from survivors and Native families who have lost their sisters, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters to violence.
THE DIAMOND APPROACH
Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Directed by Paola Di Florio; Kavana Entertainment, Dirty Robber
A nuclear physicist and a hippie artist seeking to understand the nature of reality become explorers of their own consciousness, plumbing the depths of what is possible for humanity to know about our essential nature. Their journey leads to the emergence of a modern-day spiritual path. This feature documentary will explore this unique path, its living founders, and the intimate journeys of people who are walking on it.
IMPOSSIBLE LOVE
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Executive Producers Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary; Revelations Entertainment
For over 40 years, Jeanne has been filled with regret and heartbreak after breaking up with her college sweetheart because her white mother wouldn’t accept her relationship with a black man. But in 2020, Jeanne set out to find her lost love Steve and wouldn’t stop until she could reunite with him. Impossible Love is the true story of a love that prevailed against the odds and overcame racism.
COMING ALIVE
Executive Producer: Michèle Ohayon
Directed by Alex Banayan
Last year, more teenagers committed suicide than ever in American history. Author Alex Banayan wants to know why. In Coming Alive, Banayan talks to experts on the subject and lays out an emotional and spiritual solution to this crisis. A solution that will help us bring back a part of ourselves that has died and rediscover what makes us come alive.
Completed Projects
CNN’s BELIEVER (2017)
Supervising Producer: Michèle Ohayon
A six-part spiritual adventure documentary series hosted by Reza Aslan. Executive Producers are Liz Bronstein and Andy Robertson. Aired March 2017 on CNN. Michele Ohayon was Supervising Producer on the Israel episode.
CRISTINA (2016)
Directed, Produced and shot by Michèle Ohayon
A 40 min documentary edited by Kate Amend, ACE, Elizabeth Cirillo, music by Miriam Cutler. Digital distributor: Netflix.
An intimate journey of a 37 year old Cristina, as fate brings to her life both a new love and an unbeatable challenge.
PRESS
Cristina Is a Deeply Moving Look at Life With Metastatic Breast Cancer - Glamour
Interview with director Michèle Ohayon - The Huffington Post
Oscar-nominated director documents friend's dying days - The Desert Sun
Now Streaming on Kanopy
100 YEARS (2016)
Produced by Michèle Ohayon and Melinda Janko
A documentary feature directed by Melinda Janko, edited by Edgar Burcksen, additional editing by Pat McMahon, music by Nicholas Pike. Streamed on Netflix; aired on PBS America Reframed.
The story of Elouise Cobell, a Blackfeet Indian, wife, mother, rancher and banker who discovered billions of dollars missing from the government managed trust accounts belonging to 300,000 Native Americans, she took action.
AWARDS
BIG SKY AWARD - Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2017
PRESS
POWER (2016)
Co-directed and produced by Michèle Ohayon
A documentary feature produced by Mark David and Michèle Ohayon. Directed by Alexis Spraic, co-directed by Michèle Ohayon. Edited by Morgan Hanner and Edward Osei-Gyimah, Music by Richard Horowitz. Song by Angelique Kidjo.
Exquisitely shot in 10 countries, the film shows how energy is the through-line connecting a small village in Uganda with a big Russian empire.
SCREENINGS
American Renewable Energy Day’s Impact Film Festival
S.O.S. (2010)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
From award-winning director Michèle Ohayon, S.O.S. looks at counter terrorism around the world, bringing new strategies to avoid future failures. S.O.S is a timely eye-opener, as it brings to the surface hidden threats that must be addressed immediately to make sure governments put past experience to work in the service of a safer future.
SCREENINGS
Berlin Film Festival
Sarajevo Film Festival
MoMa NYC
IDA Docu Week - Theatrical Showcase August-September 2011
STEAL A PENCIL FOR ME (2007)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Steal a Pencil for Me is a moving documentary about two Dutch Holocaust survivors who carried on a love affair - largely through a surreptitious exchange of letters - while imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp.
AWARDS
Audience Award - Sonoma Film Festival
Chairman of Yad Vashem Award, Jerusalem Film Festival 2007
Spirit of Anne Frank Honoree – Anne Frank Center USA
IDA Nominee, ABC/Video Source Award 2007
Now Streaming on Kanopy
COWBOY DEL AMOR (2005)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Ivan Thompson is a retired cowboy who has found a lucrative second career. A self-proclaimed "cowboy cupid," he regularly travels to Mexico to find wives for males who have been unsuccessful at finding mates in the States and can afford to pay his fee.
AWARDS
Academy Award Nominee - Best Feature Documentary
DGA Nominee – Outstanding Directorial Achievement
Spirit Award Nominee (IFP)
COLORS STRAIGHT UP (1997)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
Teenagers living in inner-city Los Angeles come together in the performing arts ensemble Colors United as a way of escaping the gangs and drugs prevalent in their neighborhood of Watts. As they learn how to express themselves artistically, these young students, including dancer Stanley Elam and actress LaToya Howlett, provide each other with support that they can't always find at home, and encourage each other to pursue their dreams.
AWARDS
Academy Award Nominee - Best Feature Documentary
DGA Nominee – Outstanding Directorial Achievement
Spirit Award Nominee (IFP)
Now Streaming on Kanopy
IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE (1992)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
It Was a Wonderful Life profiles six affluent women left homeless by divorce, illness or the economy. Narrated by Jodie Foster.
AWARDS
Special Jury Mention – Amsterdam Film Festival
Distinguished Award Nominee – IDA
Official Selection – Berlin Film Festival
Now Streaming on Kanopy
More from Kavana Entertainment
I AM HUMAN (2019)
Consulting Producer: Michèle Ohayon
A documentary feature directed and produced by Taryn Southern, Elena Gaby.
What it means to be human will soon be drastically altered with advancements in neurotechnology, leading to an incomprehensible cohesion between man and machine. I AM HUMAN offers a glimpse of what this technical evolution entails, following three individuals with neurological disorders.
SCREENINGS
Tribeca Film Festival 2019
THE MOTHER OF BEAUTY (2018)
Co-produced by Michèle Ohayon
A documentary feature directed by Frank van Osch, produced by Niekie Kleintjens.
Emmeline Snively was a "Mother of Beauty" for hundreds of international models in the 40's and 50's. Against this rich backdrop, the film explains how iconic beauty was created and how it shaped the face of Hollywood.
EAST JERUSALEM/WEST JERUSALEM (2015)
Executive Produced by Michèle Ohayon
A documentary feature directed by Henrique Cymerman and Erez Miller, produced by Gidi Avivi, edited by Erez Miller.
David Broza, an Israeli singer-songwriter, sets out to open dialog between the Israelis and Palestinians through music.
SOLAR ROADWAYS (2012)
Directed and Produced by Michèle Ohayon
What if roads and parking lots were solar, fueling enough energy from the sun to power nearby communities as well as electric vehicles?
SCREENINGS
Tribeca Film Festival
Warsaw Film Festival
Participant in Google X talks
