Letters at Sea is a moving alternative to the many adverts we see at Christmas. The film depicts the international humanitarian refugee crisis through the eyes of a child who believes that the refugees he sees on the news are pirates in search of lost treasure. The piece was directed by Ignas Laugalis of Stori Creative as a response to the current migrant crisis. In the film, we see the imagination of a child take flight, as he sees a group of refugees being rescued at sea, and believes them to be pirates in search of lost treasure. He takes to writing to them – and wishes that this Christmas he could join them to help them find their treasure.
Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said: “One of the highlights of our work this year was bringing to Ireland four search and rescue organisations that are saving lives in the Mediterranean. This included meetings with the President, the Tánaiste and a sold out event at Trinity College. In this beautiful film the cold reality of what is happening in the Mediterranean is movingly juxtaposed with David’s desire to help the people he sees on TV and for them to find what they are looking for. Funds raised will go directly to support our Law Centre which gives essential legal support to people seeking asylum in Ireland. People who have experienced torture, death threats and violence.”
This touching piece was released off the back of a short film www.storicreative.com released this year on RTE.
Grainne Dwyer of Stori Creative said: “We worked with the Irish Refugee Council this year in casting a part for a short film we made for RTE called Yellow Bird, where an older woman takes in a refugee to her home, after she loses her husband. Each Christmas we send out gifts to our clients, and this year as a company, we wanted to give back to those in need instead and spend our company profits making this video for a deserving charity. We hope to raise much needed funds for the Irish Refugee Council who can make a direct impact on those who are in direct provision in Ireland and so that they can continue the tireless work they do”
Company info: Stori Creative is an award winning production company based in Cork. They specialise in cinematic brand videos for companies.
Credits:
Client: Irish Refugee Council
Working Title: Letters At Sea
Production House: Stori Creative
Writer: Grainne Dwyer
Creative Concept: Grainne Dwyer
Director: Ignas Laugalis
Producer: Fiona Dwyer
Director of Photography: Ignas Laugalis
Camera Op: Ignas Laugalis
Sound: Deividas Paulauskas
Grip/Gaffer: Fionn Kane
Set Design: Fiona Dwyer
Costume: Zoe Brennan Whitmore
Casting: Fiona Dwyer
Hair/Make Up: Grainne Dwyer
Editor: Ignas Laugalis
Colour grade: Ignas Laugalis
VFX: Ignas Laugalis
Music/Composer: Paris Without Lights by Lux Finite
Cast (in order of appearance) David Long, Alyssia Long, Daire Long, Eva Long, Veronica Long
