THE MAN WHO SAVED THE INTERNET WITH A SUNFLOWER Spotlights American Tech Innovator Rob Ryan–by Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural
Global filmmaker Ori Yardeni‘s new feature film The Man Who Saved the Internet with a Sunflower, the true story of American entrepreneur Rob Ryan, is set to embark on its global film festival run. The film recounts the dramatic story of Rob Ryan, the ultimate entrepreneur, who saved the Internet from collapsing in the 1990s, transformed the lives of all of us in every field, and today is trying to save the Internet from itself.
The film’s official trailer:
Global media entrepreneur and creator Ori Yardeni co-directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay. Not only a filmmaker or entrepreneur, Yardeni is known as the ‘stORIteller,’ who weaves fantastical worlds and impactful narratives with cutting-edge technology. Yardeni is most recognized for his innovative work in the field of immersive cinema, including making 700 different 3D, 4D, 6D movies, Interactive Cinema and Imageless Cinema. He has received several awards for his films and has registered 45 innovations in the field of media and technology. Yardeni has also created License to Dream, a collaboration with Ryan, to equip teenagers with the tools and mindset to become successful entrepreneurs and social leaders.
Emil Ben Shimeon, most known for his work on the TV series ZIGI, HaTachana, The Women’s Balcony, and Wild Horses for Israel’s HOT Cable Broadcasting, co-directed the film. Einat Glazer-Zarhin edited the film, and the screenplay is written by Oren Safdie, Izhar Har-Lev and Yardeni. Kobi-Hoffman of Jiminy Creative is executive producer.
Website: https://www.themenwhosavetheintrenet.com/
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us could quite literally not have lived without the Internet. Thanks to freely available technology, we were able to work and videoconference from home; shop and order food online; conduct remote medical appointments; take classes and attend conferences virtually; watch our fill of free movies and television shows; and otherwise survive and thrive while sheltering.
Almost as many of us may not have realized that all of these life-enhancing services didn’t have to happen. During the 1990s, countless very astute observers saw the Internet as an erratic fad whose time would quickly come and go.
Dr. Laura Wilhelm reviews the new film…
Ori Yardeni’s new film THE MAN WHO SAVED THE INTERNET WITH A SUNFLOWER enfolds the story of the Internet within a lively biopic about Rob Ryan, the outspoken Ivy League-educated founder of Ascend Communications who was widely regarded as an enfant terrible in his field but ended up changing the face of computer-based communications in the Silicon Valley forever. Filmed in Serbia, it stars British actor Martin Delaney as the perpetually befuddled American disruptor Rob Ryan.
Ryan’s now-influential Sunflower Code presumes that all entrepreneurs want to be the king or queen of some realm of commodities. The complete suite of Internet services Ascend Communications provided made it an attractive acquisition when it ultimately merged with Lucent Technologies for a record 24 billion dollars.
Inevitably, the profiteering powers that be come into conflict with the OCD computer wonks at Ascend Communications who love their work and just want to do something good for the world. When Rob’s board unanimously replaces him as the CEO of the booming company he founded, he creates a fulfilling new life as a mentor to other billion-dollar tech companies while pulling down many prestigious industry awards in his wake.
Admirers of Yardeni’s film will be pleased to learn that it is the first part of a planned trilogy about technology and humanity. Love it or hate it, the virtual world that tech entrepreneurs like Rob Ryan have built is here to stay. We would all do well to learn more about both the products and their progenitors.
Dr. Laura Wilhelm holds a B.A. in Russian and Classics from Reed College and a Ph.D. in Russian language, literature, and linguistics from the University of Kansas. Born in Philadelphia, Laura has lived in Los Angeles since 1994 and covered the exciting local and international entertainment scene in publications such as Cold Heat News, FVM Global, Hollywood Weekly, The Hollywood Times, Indie Entertainment Magazine, and Magic Image Hollywood Magazine. Dr. Wilhelm runs an award-winning consulting company called LauraWil Intercultural; teaches courses on professional writing and public speaking; and serves as a board member, judge, and media partner for the French Riviera Film Festival.
Dr. Laura is a powerful writer and Ryan is indeed a genius. The filmmaker and editor of this film rocked!!