Michael Marantz, who earned a slot in SHOOT’s 2015 New Directors Showcase, directed, served as a writer and created the music for this film for the Robin Hood Foundation via production company Already Alive.
Robin Hood Foundation, which partners with 200-plus organizations, helps some 400,000 New Yorkers a year living in poverty, affording opportunities to people who would otherwise normally fall through the cracks. Titled We All Stumble, this short depicts the plight of the impoverished, ultimately offering a ray of hope as we see how a helping hand can make a world of difference. The film makes a stirring case for contributing to Robin Hood; 100% of donations go toward the partner organizations that are on the front lines of the fight against poverty in NYC.
CreditsClient Robin Hood Foundation Production/Creative Already Alive Michael Marantz, director; Tim Sessler, DP; Noah Meisner, Michael Marantz, exec producers; Tay McEvers, Carlee Briglia, producers; Michael Marantz, Jason Oppliger, Jenny Weiner, writers; Billy Gerard Frank, production designer; Hannah Rothfield, art director; Julie Molo, wardrobe; Filipp Penson, assistant camera; Sandy SooHoo, 2nd assistant camera; Cedric Vara, assistant director; Sussan Cordero, 2nd assistant director; Christine Pfister, set dresser; Brittany Romney, Elvira Gonzalez, hair/makeup; Phil Bradley, DIT. Music Michael Marantz, Soundcloud Casting Jamie Carroll, casting director. Editorial Joint Editorial Nicholas Davis, editor. Color Lenny Mastrandrea, colorist; Matt Hubert, finishing producer. Sound Mixing Taylor Bradshaw, Drew English. Performers Soleidy Mendez; Tyler Matos; Jamej Lawton; James Trenton; Brianna Moore; Vanessa Thorpe; Erik McKey; McKale Gray, Michael Coppola, Darlene Dues, Andre Nieves, Marbel Melendez, Nate Gray, Matt Nagin, Kim Akia. Locations Pentwater Productions, location manager.
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