Haroula Rose wrote and directed this branded short film, Hound of Love, produced by Hello Sunshine for Baileys Irish Creme Liqueur. Founded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine is the media company that puts women at the center of every story it creates, celebrates and discovers.
This marks Rose’s first foray into the branded arena. She directed the feature film Once Upon A River, as well as Lost and Found, a pilot which premiered at Tribeca, and several short films including Wedding Dress, No Love Song, Baby Crazy and As They Slept.
Hound of Love introduces us to Sonya, a dog who is protective over Sam, her best friend and owner. Basically, in this comedic piece, no one is good enough to be Sonya’s significant other. Hound of Love centers on the relationship between Sonya and Sam, Sonya’s view of the world and how she sabotages Sam’s dates–until she meets Bill.
Jess Weixler (Teeth, The Good Wife, Listen Up Philip) stars as Sam, and Kate Micucci (Garfunkel & Oates, The Little Hours, Scooby Doo) provides the voice of Sonya.
Hound of Love is part of a series entitled “Meet Cute,” with Rose selected to direct this episode. The modern-day love stories in the series are inspired by real-life “meet-cutes” form the women-first dating and social networking app Bumble.
Hound of Love has been released on the Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YouTube Channel, and will live in a branded content hub on The Roku Channel nationwide this fall.
CreditsClient Baileys Irish Creme Liqueur Production Hello Sunshine Zoe Fairbourn, head of brand partnerships; Rashi Talati, sr. director of brand partnerships; Bree Frank, VP, physical production; Haroula Rose, writer-director. Gaylyn Fraiche, consulting producer; Ami Armstrong, Joey Horvitz, producers; Christina Roulette, line producer; Johanna Coelho, DP; Maren Jensen, production designer; Alexah Acuna, art director; Andrew Zepeda, hair & makeup; Sami Martin Sarmiento, costume stylist. Editorial Angelo Valencia, editor; Joanna Woods, editorial exec producer. Music Zac Rae, composer. Casting Lisa Patone, Gigi Pantone, casting directors. VFX Chris Gravlan Color/Postproduction Revolution Post Devon Collins, colorist. Audio Vaudeville Audio
Top Spot of the Week: EHRAC, Animation Studio NOMINT Depict Life “In Limbo” As Families Search For Loved Ones
This animated film titled In Limbo depicts the journey of a heroic woman protagonist representing the countless families in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe (where Chechnya is situated) searching for their forcibly disappeared loved ones. Utilizing theatrical elements, the film highlights the unnatural disruption caused by enforced disappearances and delves into the profound trauma these families endure. It emphasizes their long battles with the domestic authorities as they seek answers. The film also underscores the vital role of community support in helping these families cope and continue their fight for answers, serving as a compelling call to action for justice and human rights.
Through intimate storytelling, In Limbo raises awareness of the ongoing uncertainty that leaves families in a perpetual state of limbo, unable to find closure.
Directed by Afterman--the animation duo consisting of Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North--and created and produced by London-based animation studio NOMINT, In Limbo was commissioned by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).
In a joint statement, Zdraveva and North shared, “Our film takes place on a theater stage, highlighting how such tragedies are far removed from ordinary life,” they continued. “The stage is circular, resembling an artificial, perpetually spinning obstacle course, with a target—the red tail lights—just within sight yet never within reach, symbolizing the family’s never-ending quest for justice.”
“We used a limited primary color palette to contrast the two worlds all families are pulled between. Minimalist compositions of starkly silhouetted characters and environments create the ominous atmosphere of a deeply painful and... Read More