CZAR Amsterdam’s Willem Gerritsen directed this film for FCB Amsterdam that embarks on an emotional journey of a woman’s memories of her father. The spot is part of the Safety & Security campaign for Mastercard, meant to highlight the importance of having your purchase insured against damage, loss, theft, and wrong delivery. The concept behind the film, as envisioned by FCB Amsterdam, revolves around leaving nothing to chance when creating a perfect moment.
The story starts out with a woman discovering a photo of her younger self together with her father and his car. The viewer is unaware whether the father is still alive, and as the story develops, with the woman restoring her father’s car to honor his memory. A tagline reads: “Bringing back old memories: priceless.”
The film was shot in Buenos Aires, Argentina. CZAR wanted capture the “passing of time” element, showcased through a series of side events that happen while the woman is fixing the car, as well as through a classic film aesthetic, where everything seems to dissolve and fade away. Next, to that, Gerritsen and DP Robbie van Brussel managed to deliver a romantic consciousness towards the cinematography.
Director Gerritsen said, “We had to finish everything in three days, made sure that we were able to project an elaborate lighting plan and convey a legitimate message to the viewers. One of the most touching moments was almost unbelievable–the main actress gave a performance behind the camera in order to help the older actor in his shot. It was a very emotional moment for all of us and she couldn’t stop crying because she was taken aback by the actor’s performance and the scene that they were playing.”
CZAR producer Roos Blank added, “The production process was challenging, especially in finding the perfect looking car. The car is definitely one of the focus points of this film. We used three different cars in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing vintage car.”
CreditsClient Mastercard Agency FCB Amsterdam Massimo van der Plas, chief creative officer; Rolf Bais, Wouter Kampman, creatives; Kirsten Scholte, strategy; Joze Rikken, producer. Production CZAR Amsterdam Willem Gerritsen, director; Willem Bos, exec producer; Roos Blank, producer; Robbie van Brussel, DP. Editorial Wouter van Luijn, editor. Grading & Post De Grot Audio Sound Circus Music Jorrit Kleijnen Line Production Basica cine Francois Huvelle, Jorge Malatesta. Art Direction Lola Llaneza
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