This Nike film titled “You Can’t Stop Us” shows how, in the face of unprecedented challenges, the power of sport still inspires. We have not stopped needing sport and it continues to be a source of inspiration, showing the world what’s possible when we come together.
Narrated by Megan Rapinoe, U.S. soccer star, two-time World Cup Champion and equality activist, the film shares a dynamic split screen series detailing 36 pairings of athletes and relating the kinetic movement of one sport to another.
The collective of everyday and elite athletes includes Rapinoe, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Colin Kaepernick, Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Eliud Kipchoge, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé
Developed through research of over 4,000 individual pieces of footage, the resulting montage underscores commonalities shared by athletes around the world, highlighting connections and unity we may not always see, and shows the platform that sport provides for athletes from all levels and all walks of life to raise their voice, advocate for change and stand up for our communities.
“Players may be back on the pitch, but we are not going back to an old normal. We need to continue to reimagine this world and make it better,” said Rapinoe. “We have all these people in the streets, using their voices, and those voices are being heard. I ask people to be energized by this moment and not let up. I believe it’s everybody’s responsibility to advocate for change.”
Oscar Hudson of Pulse Films directed the 90-second film.
Credits
Client Nike Agency Wieden + Kennedy Portland Jason Bagley, Eric Baldwin, executive creative directors; Alberto Ponte, Ryan O’Rourke, creative directors; Dylan Lee, copywriter; Naoki Ga, art director; Matt Hunnicutt, director of production; Jake Grand, Krystle Mortimore, executive producers; Katie McCain, Byron T. Oshiro, sr. producers; Samson Selam, Shani Storey, associate producers; Saba Spencer, David Ramirez, creative operations managers; Andy Lindblade, Paula Bloodworth, global group strategy directors; Nathan Goldberg, AJ Blumenthal, brand strategy directors. Production Company Pulse Films Oscar Hudson, director; Logan Triplett, DP; Darren Foldes, Davud Karbassioun, exec producers; Hillary Rogers, managing director; Dennis Beier, line producer. Editorial JOINT Peter Wiedensmith, Jessica Baclesse, editors; Jasmine McCullough, JC Nunez, cutting assistants; Charlie Harrington, Kris Faris, Luke Buckley, assistant editors; Ben Corbin, Damian Riddell, After Effects; Izzie Raitt, footage researcher; Leslie Carthy, post exec producer; Kathleen Russell, post producer; Aubree VanDercar, postproduction coordinator. VFX a52, Santa Monica, Calif. Patrick Murphy, VFX supervisor, lead Flame artist; Andy Wilkoff, CG supervisor; Steve Wolff, Urs Furrer, Matt Sousa, Stefan Gaillot, Andy Rafael Barrios, Hugh Seville, Richard Hirst, Adam Flynn, Dan Ellis, Kevin Stokes, Chris Riley, Rod Basham, Michael Vaglienty, Enid Dalkoff, Susanne Scharping, Flame artists; Dustin Mellum, 3D artist; Joe Chiechi, Mike Bettinardi, Michael Cardenas, tracking; Kevin Stokes, Chris Riley, Sam Kolber, online editors; Andrew Rosenberger, Everett Cross, Jillian Lynes, producers; Patrick Nugent, Kim Christensen, EPs; Jennifer Sofio Hall, managing director; Daniel de Vue, colorist; Jenny Bright, color producer; Thatcher Peterson, color EP. (Toolbox: Flame, Photoshop, After Effects, Maya w/VRay, PF track) Elastic, Santa Monica (design studio) Jeff Han, art director; Paul Makowski, Adam Goins, producers; Nader Husseini, Julia Wright, Chad Danieley, Aziz Dosmetov, Trix Taylor, Lucy Kim, Alex Silver, animators; Zach Wakefield, deputy head of prodn.; Luke Colson, EP; Kate Berry, head of production; Jennifer Sofio Hall, managing director. Music Daylight by Cowboys in Japan Sound Design & Mix JOINT Noah Woodburn, sound designer, audio mixer.
The Ad Council, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and AdoptUSKids, launched a public service campaign, created pro bono by Edelman, which aims to inspire prospective parents to consider adopting a teen from foster care.
This centerpiece PSA titled “The Rewards”--directed by The Hudson Dusters (Michael Kuhn and Niles Roth) via Greenpoint Pictures--spotlights real adoptive families who have personally experienced the mutual benefits of adoption. This longer form PSA (and cutdown versions) begins with a touching display of openness and vulnerability as adoptive parents reflect on their adoption journeys and their initial questions and hesitations about adopting a teen. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, the adoptive parents witness their children recounting the profound rewards of adoption in their lives. The teens speak of the love they share with their parents and how the decision to become a family is reciprocal. The campaign directs viewers to the AdoptUSKids website to learn more about adopting a teen from foster care.
