Across The Mountains
Across the Mountains highlights the importance of local health solutions through the compelling story of a mother who is in danger of losing her new-born baby in Somaliland. The film follows frontline health workers in Borama in the northwest of the country, who have huge mountains to climb - both literally and figuratively - to save their patients. A powerful, uncensored insight into the everyday life in local hospitals, the film reveals some of the many layers of complexities facing healthworkers, both medical and cultural.
Interview with Director Harrison Thane and Producer Camila Turner
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The film initially could have been a general Donor film because it is funded by big Donors but as creative filmmakers we wanted to give a bit more life to telling important character driven stories in a country that is rarely documented and very inaccessible.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Our film gives the audience an option to delve into the lives of a few heroic female characters. We see a remote health worker we see a female surgeon saving many many women’s lives we see ladies not be able to consent for themselves if they want a Caesarean sections. This film gives voice and show gives voice to women and should be watched by four women and men so that we realise how lucky we are in the west when it comes to health care.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
On a universal level our film brings to light the injustices women face in countries like Somaliland. Women are there to serve their husbands and to have babies they have little choice around this even when it comes to the universal shared experience of childbirth. Even to this extent women have little choice and it is the men who dictate whether they are allowed to have a Caesarian section or not. I’m on a personal level as a female direct to filming all of these women and these characters it’s awe-inspiring to say the least how much strength and power encourage all of these women’s face in that have in face with Besty and and in the face of all the struggles they have around them the injustices do you obviously feel as a woman and you realise how lucky we are West when it comes to being a woman comes to having babies when it comes to freedom of choice.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film was not scripted, although we set up interviews and did all the ground work first so that we could wait around for an emergency to happen and follow their story as it happened.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We’ve had great feedback from various audiences people have been amazed and astounded by what they see in one Somaliland the film has picked up several awards in age few festivals which we are very proud of.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are hoping to give voice to issues that are rarely documented. As filmmakers this is our role to bring to life stories and issues that need to be heard and seen.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone possible.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Key question asked in this film is actually a question that is asked at the end of the film is what would the world be like without aid? is it sustainable? can we have a world without systemic aid? We feel like there is no right answer to this but a great conversation can be sparked and eventually we hope that leads to deep change.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Camilla has moved back to the UK to raise her 3 children, Harrison Lives on a remote island in Kenya where he is working on a film about Female Octopus Fisherwoman.
Interview: May 2022
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
Across The Mountains
Length:
0:25
Director
HARRISON THANE is an award winning Film Director for the last 10 years he has worked across Africa, The Middle East and Asia. His films have been nominated for various international awards at film festivals.
Producer
In 2005 CAMILA moved to Kenya and has worked as a freelance filmmaker, producer and editor - making films on a diverse range of subjects from refugees, migration, LGTB, women's rights, conflict, education and the environment.
Her films have been nominated for various international awards at film festivals, including Oxford film festival, Women's International Film & Arts Festival, IDFA, Rory Peck Awards & a Digital Emmy for a short film about Shujazz.
Looking for:
distributors, buyers, film festival directors, sales agents
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