Marlene Rhein Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Comedy Feature ‘Who Is Joi Seracha?’

LOS ANGELES – Filmmaker Marlene Rhein is raising funds for her latest feature, ‘Who Is Joi Seracha?,’ a dark comedy that aims to shed light on mental health through humor. The Indiegogo campaign is seeking community support to bring the project through post-production and into distribution.

Written, directed and headlined by Rhein, the film follows Joi Seracha, a sensitive woman so overwhelmed by current events that she splits into three personalities, only to become the subject of a documentary filmed by her opportunist boyfriend. The project is personal for Rhein, who has long used comedy to address serious topics such as depression, loneliness and societal callousness.

Rhein’s work often focuses on outsiders and those navigating emotional survival through creativity and humor. Her previous projects include the feature ‘The Big Shot-Caller’ and the award-winning web series ‘The So-So You Don’t Know,’ recognized at festivals for its candid portrayal of urban isolation. With ‘Who Is Joi Seracha?,’ Rhein continues to explore the intersection of absurdity and vulnerability, using storytelling to reflect on deeper cultural and emotional currents.

The campaign offers perks ranging from behind-the-scenes access to special thanks in the credits, while building a community around the film’s production and message. Rhein hopes the story will resonate with audiences who have faced their own mental health challenges, while also providing a space for laughter and reflection.

While fictional, the film’s themes are rooted in lived experience. “Comedy was always my way in,” Rhein said, referencing her background navigating depression and social detachment. The film uses humor not to avoid difficult topics, but to open a conversation around them in a way that feels familiar and approachable.

Rhein brings decades of directing experience to the project, having worked with artists such as 2Pac and Amy Winehouse. She was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s “Top 25 New Faces of Independent Film” and is known for juggling multiple roles in her productions to ensure authenticity.

‘Who Is Joi Seracha?’ is scheduled to begin filming in October. Funds raised will go toward production costs including crew, equipment, locations and other essential resources. Rhein also plans to connect with mental health communities during the process, aiming to use the film as a conversation starter in educational and therapeutic settings.

Rhein operates through her company, RheinoRex Films, which focuses on character-driven stories told through a comedic lens, often addressing social and emotional issues. She currently works between Los Angeles and New York City.

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Links:
Indiegogo Campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/who-is-joi-seracha-a-comedy-film/pscc
Website: https://www.marlenerhein.com/
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1280951/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenerhein/
X: https://x.com/marlenerhein
Email: rheinorexfilms@gmail.com

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