Twenty-four filmmakers from across Canada are helping raise funds for frontline health workers.
“Heartbeat of the Nation” is an 80 second film that captures the spirit of the cheers for healthcare workers from Canadian balconies. It tugs on the heartstrings and begs its viewers to continue their support by staying home and cheering on our heroes.
The film was released on Friday (4/24) in partnership with CanadaHelps and Gore Mutual to draw attention to their COVID-19 Healthcare & Hospital Fund. Gore is matching donated funds up to $1 million dollars for this particular fund. They have contributed two million dollars in total for COVID relief.
The film was produced while adhering to physical distancing guidelines. Sixteen cinematographers from across Canada filmed their cities empty. Director, Ross Allen, communicated with the crew from concept to post-production through video conferencing.
Everyone involved in the project volunteered their time, skills, and equipment in order to help spread the message of thanks and support to our healthcare workers.
CreditsClient CanadaHelps, Gore Mutual Production Ross Allen, writer/director; Mack Stannard, producer; Jon Thomas, Mitchell Baxter, Jaryl Lim, Ben Cox, Cristobal Ruiz, Liam Higgins, Jonny Micay, Justin Black, Adrian Vieni, Daniel Everitt-Lock, Brian Hamilton, Shae Paterson, Halley Davies, Simon Jaynes, Oli Jobin, Matthew A MacDonald, cinematographers; Dane Armour, art direction; Andrew Chee, social strategist. Postproduction Ross Allen, editor; Matt Drake, sound design & mix; Sam Gilling, color grade. Original Music Blake Matthews
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