The filmmaking duo The Mercadantes (who recently earned a DGA Award nomination in Commercials and are repped by Park Pictures) have rolled out the latest short in their ongoing Collection Film series, all of which capture universal stories without dialogue. Titled FIVE, the short explores the world of religion through the eyes of children. Capturing kids from India, South Africa, Japan and the U.S. going about their religious practices, FIVE reveals that five-year-olds offer powerful lessons for us all.
True to its name, FIVE features five children, each five-years old, hailing from five different religions. The children in FIVE—whether Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Buddhism—are average kids, yet naturals in the practice of prayer.
In the film, each child dresses to go to his or her place of worship, donning distinctive accessories of cultural significance. As we see their five different lunches, shoes, and modes of transportation, we feel the vast distance between each of them. They are a world apart in culture, religion, and space.
But these everyday events morph into a moment of spirituality and commonality. In each country, they complete their religious rituals with a reverence and sense of purpose that is touching and remarkable in its sincerity, ending with a moment of silence. This film makes us question if we really are so disconnected after all.
While The Mercadantes are a directing team, for the FIVE short Katina Mercadante directed and produced while Daniel Mercadante served as cinematographer and editor. Previous Collection Films include Breath and Ball. FIVE was two years in the making and the children featured were non-actors.
