Film Craft > Production

HOPE AWAY FROM HOME

NEW-LAND, Copenhagen / UNHCR / 2023

Awards:

Shortlisted Eurobest
CampaignCampaign(opens in a new tab)
Film

Overview

Credits

Overview

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

We follow three main characters who go about their every day, when suddenly, an invisible force takes them away and into uncertainty. Metaphorically, the force portrays the loss of control that happens when forced to flee war, persecution, or violence. Visually, we want to create the feeling these people have when being “tossed around” in an inhumane system.

Throughout the film, the three characters experience complete loss of control, while several people passing by try to help them find safety. Just like in the real world, most refugees are caught by others or by the system, but unfortunately not everyone are that lucky. That's is why the film has an open ending; not revealing what happens to the girl being pulled into the unknown.

The film depicts how anyone – out of the blue - can be forced to flee.

Background:

Today, over 110 million people are displaced from war, violence and persecution globally. Although seeking safety is a human right for all, we are witnessing too many people seeking safety around the world being needlessly exposed to further adversity, hardship and experiencing unacceptable harm and risks. People who leave everything behind, make very arduous and dangerous journeys to safety and then at the moment they find themselves in desperate need of safety, instead find themselves facing stigma and xenophobia and - at times, denied their most fundamental human rights.

With IPSOS 2022 survey showing that 78% of people believe in the right to seek safety in other countries, we know that compassion is there.

The goal was to reach this 78% with emotional storytelling in order to increase public solidarity and action towards those seeking safety and protect their right to do so in a fast and fair manner.

Please provide any cultural context that would help the jury understand any cultural, national or regional nuances applicable to this work e.g. local legislation, cultural norms, a national holiday or religious festival that may have a particular meaning.

This film was the launch of a long-term campaign. So, from a global comms perspective the first and most practical objective, was for UNHCR to have local markets engage with the film and the campaign from the beginning. This was achieved in a highly succesful manner, having more than 35 different markets and countries share and engage with the film.

This impact has already helped start conversations, both locally and globally, and set a new direction for many markets across the world. A great start to a long-term campaign.

Tell the jury anything relevant about the direction. Do not name the director.

One of the hardest parts on this production was asking for that final take, particularly when my actors, who weren't professional stunt performers, were drained from a day's intense physical activities. I believe they might've resented me momentarily. However, it was often during these times of utmost exhaustion that we seized the most genuine scenes.

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