Amir Farhang, who is on the directorial roster of Hungry Man, wrote and directed this short film, Masks, which explores the theme of distance and closeness as two lonely strangers meet in a park and take a walk in search of meaning and human connection.
The short is shot entirely from the POV of its two lead actors at a socially safe distance in Los Angeles during the early days of shelter-in-place back in April.
Production/Creative Amir Farhang, writer/director; Ray Huang, DP; Lije Sark, producer; Adam Guy, drone operator. Editorial Cartel Andy McGraw, editor; Roy Herbert, editor assistant. Sound Design Beacon Street Studios Mike Leone, Rommell Molina, sound designers; Kate Vadnais, sound producer. Color Company 3 Dave Hussey, colorist; Gabe Wakeman, producer; Roy Herbert, conform. Titles Preacher, ATX Anna McCaleb, designer; Rob Baird, creative director. Special Thanks To: Evan Jackson Leong, James Gooding, Mike Piscitelli, Omid Farhang, Andrew Feltenstein, RJ Buckley, Hungry Man Productions, Jeff Gordon, Isolators XXX. In Loving Memory Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Cast Rachael Taylor, Amir Farhang, Ali Washnevsky, Earl. An Olive Juice Production.
When dozens of Klick Health team members said they wouldn’t be able to hug loved ones over the festive season, the agency turned to AI and other magic to orchestrate a series of sentimental, surprise reunions captured in its “Holiday Hugs” video. The heartwarming four-minute video, benefitting the D.C.-based Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC), parallels recent findings from a Maru/Blue Public Opinion survey commissioned by Klick. The poll found 74 percent of Americans and Canadians won’t be able to hug at least one person they wish they could over the holidays. And like those in the video, survey participants cited geographical distance and loved ones having passed away as the leading factors preventing their hugs. “I just wish I could really squeeze her right now,” says teary-eyed New York Klickster Kari Bocassi watching her AI-generated hug with her sister Marlene, moments before she bursts onto the set for a long in-person embrace. The siblings have spent the past 14 years caring for their mother since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but haven’t been together for the holidays since Marlene moved to Virginia. Similarly, Toronto’s Fred Duarte gets the bear hug of his life when his brother Rico, who lives in Brazil, walks into Klick’s production studio for their first holiday reunion in seven years. Directed by James Cooper via Cooper Films, “Holiday Hugs” also taps into the fact that hugs don’t just make people feel better emotionally, they also have numerous health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, hugs can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system. “There’s nothing quite like the warmth and reassurance of a heartfelt hug,” said Klick’s chief creative officer Rich Levy. “With ‘Holiday... Read More
