Charles Ashira came of age in Paris, embarked upon his filmmaking career in New York, and hit his stride in Hollywood.
After graduating with a degree in Arts and Literature from the Sorbonne, Charles spent some
time as a Freelance Reporter/Journalist for several national newspapers in France – Le
Figaro, France-Soir, and Paris-Match. He then worked on "Discorama", a national variety
show based in Paris, as Director of such musical talent as Jimi Hendrix, The Bee Gees,
Charles Aznavour, Fernandel, and many more.
Charles then emigrated to America – a young man in search of life, liberty, and the elegance
he had glimpsed in the musicals of Fred Astaire. There he met his lovely wife of over thirty
years, with whom he has raised four exceptional children.
Fascinated with the art of telling a compelling story in 30 seconds, he became a Producer,
Director, and Copywriter of high end television commercials at many of the great advertising
agencies, including TBWA/ Chiat Day, DDB/Needham, Young & Rubicam, Carmichael Lynch,
McCann Erickson, Fallon/ McElligott, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, and Havas Worldwide.
Among the multiple award-winning commercials he created, his proudest achievements were
a series of Public Service Announcements starring Mel Gibson, James Coburn and Whoopi
Goldberg that quite literally saved the vitamin and natural supplement industry from politically-driven oblivion.
Along the way, Charles was commissioned to produce a short documentary film that changed
his life. "For The Land Is Mine" was a 28-minute educational film that introduced the profound
economic philosophy and tax-reform principles of Henry George. The decades-long labor of
love that ensued from that project has now resulted in the forthcoming feature-length documentary film "Abundance",
and the companion feature movie "The Prophet of San Francisco".
As the founder and principal of BackHome Pictures in Los Angeles, Charles also has several
other projects in development – including:
"Dance at My Weddings" – a highly original romantic comedy written by Peter Goldman
and Charles Ashira.
"El Cordobes" – screenplay by Simon Raphael Abehsera and Charles Ashira, based on the life
of the famous bullfighter Manuel Benítez Pérez. Once optioned by Ridley Scott and
Universal Pictures, BackHome Pictures is currently packaging the project.
"The Prophet of San Francisco" – screenplay by Charles Ashira and Stephen Gottlieb, a
fascinating story about a 19th-century American hero whose genius ideas inspire a modern day maverick who
is determined to bring those remarkably prescient ideas to the world.
After more than three decades of accomplishment, with the children now grown and in homes
of their own, Charles has dedicated his creative energies to meaningful, entertaining, artfully
crafted and purposeful films that will contribute to making this world a better place for all.
Negotiations are underway with A-List personnel.