An innovative nonprofit is racing to deliver lifesaving healthcare to the 1.2 million Liberians living in the country’s most remote communities.

Interview with Director/Producer Gabriel Diamond

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thanks! I made this originally as part of my day job as the staff filmmaker for the Skoll Foundation. We did this documentary about the work of Last Mile Health and after seeing how their work resonated with people decided to edit a new version tailored for general audiences.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

This story depicts a part of the world you may be completely unfamiliar with: within four hours walking distance to the nearest road, where most people never see a doctor in the whole life, people die young. You’ll learn about innovative ways brave people are reaching the hardest to reach, and saving lives.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Bottom line this is about caring for people who are easily forgotten. We catch a glimpse into their world and see how a group of altruistic folks are designing a system so that none of these folks are beyond the reach of care. I hope that’s a story that would be inspirational to all.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

This is a documentary. There was no script. All the dialog was unplanned.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People love it, and are thankful for being exposed to this story.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I’m always touched that people are so supportive. In the funding community there’s some criticism that Last Mile Health has too high a cost per patient served. While many NGO’s brag about how they can increase health outcomes for a certain number of people for a certain cost, LMH has never used cost as their bottom line because due to the nature of the extreme remote conditions higher cost per patient is intrinsic to their model. I’m glad to see this has not hindered their success.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More active and engaged audiences to support the good work of http://lastmilehealth.org/

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Anyone and everyone who would like to help spread this message!

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Lots of money and awareness raised for the community health worker model and Last Mile Health.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is the life of a person who lives in a remote and hard to reach area worth less than the lives of folks in cities?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you for giving this film a platform!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

If you were to make a sign that reveals something about yourself you want to hide from the world and hold it in public, what would it say? That’s the question Vulnerable Rally asks of its participants. Vulnerable Rally takes us past the niceties and social graces to which we conform into the very heart of that which makes us human. Our fears, our shames, our prejudices—when these shadow parts of ourselves come to light, they not only have the chance to free us, they can also free those who pass us by and create powerful healing connections between people.

Vulnerable Rally (https://www.vulnerablerally.com) is part of a global invitation to remember our common humanity in the most vulnerable way: part absurdist street theatre and part shadow work.

Interview: September 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Tyranny of Distance

An innovative nonprofit is racing to deliver lifesaving healthcare to the 1.2 million Liberians living in the country’s most remote communities.

Length: 9:16

Director: Gabriel Diamond

Producer: Gabriel Diamond

About the writer, director and producer:

GABRIEL DIAMOND is the staff filmmaker for the Skoll Foundation. His credits include the feature film “Less,” (2010) and the short “Rise” (2018).

Looking for: distributors

Facebook: The Tyranny of Distance

Funders: Skoll Foundation

Made in association with: Skoll Foundation

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Docs Without Borders Film Festival, Awareness Film Festival, Commffest Global Community Film Festival