In this short film commissioned by Vital Voices, director Michael Marantz, a 2015 SHOOT New Directors Showcase alum, introduces us to "Rouba’s Manifesto," the mantra of Dr. Rouba Mhaissen whose group SAWA for Development and Aid has helped hundreds of thousands of refugees. Since 2011 some 2 million Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon. Even though it’s easy to feel dismayed and disheartened by the depth and scale of the refugee crisis, Dr. Mhaissen’s message is that people who self-sacrifice and do good for others, even complete strangers, can make a world of positive difference.
Director Marantz noted that his cast and crew brought something incredibly special to this project, as many are refugees themselves, living within the camps in the Bekaa Valley. Their hard work and dedication on set made this film, and our experience in Lebanon feel even more important.
Credits
Client Vital Voices Production Company Already Alive Michael Marantz, director/composer; Tim Sessler, DP; Zach MacDonald, producer; Omar AlAbass, assistant director; Marwa Babkas, production fixer; Josef Kfoury, 1st AC; Ghattas Amatouri, 2nd AC; Dany Challita, gaffer; Joseph Chahine, best boy; Oum Fawzi, prop/set design; Abu Fawzi, driver; Abu Feras, picture car; Mahmoud Hammoud, Abdel Hady, PAs. Production Support, Beirut OliveTree Productions Rolly Dib Cast Asmaa Bakov, girl; Firas Al Kwider, male; Taleb Albazazi, teacher; Sabrien Madleg, mother with baby; Adnan Al Adlan, boy; Amal Albazazi, Ahmed Albazazi, adults; Salama Alazawi, doctor; Nahla Salloum, woman.
The 2024 Christmas ad from John Lewis department stores has arrived. This year’s much anticipated TV commercial, continuing the Xmas tradition of John Lewis, is the two-minute “The Gifting Hour" created by Saatchi & Saatchi UK and directed by Francois Rousselet via production house Riff Raff.
In the ad, the heroine, Sally, has left it a little late to find the right gift for her sister this year and races into a John Lewis store at closing time. Falling through a rack of dresses, she enters a fantastical world. We first see her stumbling out of the wardrobe in the attic of her childhood home and from here we are taken on a whimsical journey through her memories as she searches for the ultimate present, against the clock.
Returning to the store and back to reality she has found the perfect gift, ready and wrapped. Sally then heads outside and has a special moment with her sister who will be the gift’s recipient. As they walk away we see her sister reflected in the John Lewis window as the child from her memories.
