Every year, thousands of people fleeing war, persecution, and poverty at home attempt the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. Mark & Spencer of Curfew, Brooklyn, worked with Doctors Without Borders on this spot, “Across the Sea,” to call attention to the ongoing refugee crisis and to tell the story of the dual lives that Doctors Without Borders medical teams lead.
Q Department handled music and sound design for “Across the Sea,” with Matt Giordano of Plush serving as audio post mixer.
Client Doctors Without Borders Production Curfew, Brooklyn, NY Mark & Spencer, directors; Matt Batchelor, DP; Shelley Cheung, producer; Racey North, production designer; Garbriella Moses, wardrobe stylist; Joe Cecchini, location manager. Editorial Uppercut Paul La Calandra, editor. Color Company 3 Sophie Borup, colorist Music/Sound Design Q Department, New York Audio Post Plush NY Matt Giordano, mixer. VFX Lucas Sachs, visual effects. Casting The Pull Stephanie Porto, casting director. Stunts Chris Barnes, Riley Barnes, James Daly.
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
