Peking–the duo of Nat Livingston Johnson and Gregory Mitnick, who are with Station Film–directed three shorts, including The Impossible Family Portrait, in this Skype campaign out of agency Pereira & O’Dell.
The Impossible Family Portrait tells the story of Denis who is separated from his family in Uganda. He came to the U.S. with $5 in his pocket and has started a new life but it’s hard to be away from his loved ones so many miles away–most notably from his young son.
Everyone, says Denis, has a story of how the war in Uganda affected them. His story too is one of separation from those dear to him.
Helping to narrow the geographic distance between him and his family in Uganda is Skype. He relates that he sees their faces and they see mine, that there’s laughter and we feel closer. The chance to see his son’s face and tell him I love him “is very important.” Denis notes that “when I get back home someday, if I do, I won’t be a stranger [to my son].”
For this story and the others in this series, Singaporean photographer and visual artist John Clang captures portraits where everyone is able to pose next to one another. All of Denis’ family in Uganda is captured in an image projected onto a wall–Denis stands next to that projection and Clang creates a uniquely special family portrait that joins loved ones in the real and digital world.
Director Lu Villaca Joins MADRE
Production company MADRE has added Brazilian director Lu Villaça to its talent roster. With degrees in cinema and performance and a master’s in screenwriting, Villaça brings a multifaceted approach to filmmaking. Villaça’s tastes have been shaped by her childhood training in ballet, studying Greek theatre texts, her passion for music, and her contemplative nature. She honed her cinematic skills early on as an AD and creative assistant before becoming a director. Intent on capturing the drama of everyday life as it plays out, Villaça is tuned in to how the bodies in her frame move through their environments and what elements of the story can be extrapolated from these compositions. Her sharp attention to detail in every aspect, from lighting to the final edit, is designed to connect emotionally with her audience. Villaça has been awarded three Cannes Lions for her film “Next Minute Law,” which promoted awareness of a law in Brazil designed to address the rampant epidemic of sexual violence. “Next Minute Law” also garnered Best Direction at El Ojo and the Ciclope Latino Festival, where Villaça also won Best New Talent. Additionally, she has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Johnnie Walker, Huggies Wipes, Nestlé, Amazon, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, and a spot for Medley featuring Brazilian Olympic gymnast Rebeca Andrade. Prior to joining MADRE, Villaca had been repped by production house LOBO. Recognized in Brazil as a top music video director, Villaca won Best Female Direction for her work on “Nu” by Assucena and “Lovezinho” by Rachel Reis, which also won Best National Music Video at the MVF Awards. Villaça additionally co-directed the documentary Pagliacci, an homage to circus artist Domingos Montagner... Read More