Directed by The-Artery’s Uri Schutzer, this SodaStream International brand film, entitled Rainbow Story, visualizes key moments from the life of Emmy-nominated actress and LGTBQ+ activist Laverne Cox through both live-action content and classic 2D animation. The narrative follows Cox from her childhood to the accomplished woman she is today. The animated compositions, which were led by The-Artery’s Yonatan Tal, include Cox transforming into a flying superhero, colorful parades, the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling protecting LGBTQ+ employees against discrimination, and much more.
In celebration of Pride Month, the brand is launching a limited-edition sparkling water maker kit, also named “The Rainbow Story,” empowering the community to share their personal pride stories. A portion of proceeds will be donated to global NGO ILGA World.
Credits
Client SodaStream International Jez Willy, Wayne Hanson, Yariv Ratner, creatives Production Company Jiminy Creative Uri Schutzer, director; Kobi Hoffmann, exec producer; Itai Neeman, DP; Adam Jette, production designer; Christina Pacelli, stylist; Kiyah Wright, hair; Tay Rivera Nails: Eri Ishizu, makeup. Production Services Rodeo Show Hani Selim, exec producer; Dawn Hoffman, producer. Editorial Jiminy Creative Yair Tamir, editor; Sivan Meisliz, edit assistant; Orit Pinco, post producer. VFX & Design The-Artery Vico Sharabani, executive creative director; Deborah Sullivan, executive post producer; Emily Brown, post producer; Yonathan Tal, animation supervisor; Joey Karwal, Miles Schlenker, Josh Brennan, Vivian Le, Greg Barry, animation; Aarif Attarwala, Asaf Yeger, Micky Gorenstein, Flame; Joe Grundfast, CG; Stephen Picano, color grading. Soundtrack “My Rainbow” Original Music Tomer Biran Sound Design Broadcast Media Avi Zonshine, sound design.
Dancer turned director Ezra Hurwitz collaborates with Ailey II artistic director Francesca Harper, featuring movement as museum pieces against the Whitney Museum of American Art’s striking architecture for this short film titled Echoes of Ailey. Commissioned to celebrate “Edges of Ailey” at the Whitney Museum, the film accompanies the first large-scale exhibition on the life and enduring legacy of visionary artist and choreographer Alvin Ailey. “Edges of Ailey” is currently on view at the Whitney until February 9.
Animating iconic images from Alvin Ailey’s 20th-century repertory, the film expands on the exhibition by constructing a visual narrative around his storytelling and influences. Set to Radiohead’s “Everything In Its Right Place,” dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, and The Ailey School capture the emotional core of the company’s history--physically situating Ailey’s masterworks amongst the Whitney’s collection.
“As a child, my grandmother took me to Ailey’s Revelations once a year,” said Hurwitz. “No matter how often I saw it, the work captivated me. There isn’t one specific thing I hope viewers take away from the film--or one way to interpret its images. It’s meant to be an abstract work, like Ailey’s creations.”
Turning to his archive, Hurwitz and Harper illuminate key sequences symbolic of Ailey’s profound legacy, closing on an uninterrupted sequence from "I’ve Been Buked," the opening movement of Ailey’s legendary "Revelations." Carrying a watershed moment back to its own medium, Echoes of Ailey captures the multigenerational impact of Ailey’s work, continued by his organization. The short film first premiered on Nowness.
