by Shine Global | Mar 10, 2015 | News, Shine News
Shine Global is happy to announce it is attached to the upcoming documentary feature The Eagle Huntress, the spellbinding story of Aisholpan, a 13-year-old nomad girl in Mongolia who is striving to become the first female Eagle Hunter in 2,000 years of male-dominated history.
The film’s director, Otto Bell, was inspired by the photographs of Asher Svidensky. Described as “Amazing” by the BBC, “Dream-like” by National Geographic, and “Stunning” by the Huffington Post, the self-funded photo essay quickly went viral when it was released in April 2014. Bell optioned the rights and says he “immediately felt a sense of responsibility to carefully bring Aisholpan’s inspiring story to life through film.”
Shine’s Executive Director Susan MacLaury, who will serve as an Executive Producer on the film, said, “We wanted to become involved in this film as soon as we heard the inspirational story of Aisholpan and saw the beautiful and sensitive way Otto was telling her story. We were also immediately struck by the way in which Aisholpan’s journey symbolizes a broader struggle for female equality. Our hope is that by sharing her story with girls and boys around the world, we will contribute to the movement for girls’ and women’s empowerment.”
“Working with the lovely team at Shine Global has been a genuine joy for me,” added Bell. “It helps that they are a kind, thoughtful and well-connected bunch; but the real reason I think it’s going so well is because my subject matter maps so well to their mission. Indeed, we are both equally determined to produce a profoundly beautiful film that will also serve as an inspiring rallying cry for female empowerment.”
Bell has nearly completed principal photography in the remote Altai Mountains of North Western Mongolia and despite filming in one of the most isolated regions in the world, The Eagle Huntress cuts no corners when it comes to production standards. The majority of the footage has been shot in 4K, capturing sweeping footage of the otherworldly Mongolian landscape. These soaring signature sequences are complemented by grounded character study, which reveals an idiosyncratic slice of life that is rich in intimate moments, natural dialogue, and heartwarming humor.
Shine Global is serving as the film’s fiscal sponsor and is accepting donations to complete its production.
Filmmakers
Otto Bell is currently the creative director of Ogilvy Entertainment and founder of Kissaki Films. He has directed over 15 short documentaries as far afield as Egypt, Japan, Uganda, and Vietnam for brands such as IBM, Philips, and DuPont. He has also created and produced award-winning world affairs programming for the likes of BBC World News, CNBC, and Times of India.
About Shine Global
Shine Global is a non-profit film production company dedicated to ending the exploitation and abuse of children worldwide through the production of films that raise awareness, promote action, and inspire change. Shine’s films include the Academy Award®-winning Inocente, the Academy Award®-nominated Emmy winner War/Dance, and most recently, 1 Way Up in 3D.
by Shine Global | Mar 9, 2015 | News, Shine News
Shine Global’s most recent documentary 1 Way Up is now available to stream on Netflix in the US, UK, and Canada.
From first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up is the story of Quillan Isidore and Tre Whyte, two teen boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. Defying the stereotypes of “black boys in hoods” and the media portrayal of Peckham, they race to the top of the BMX ranks and off the streets. The film follows Tre, Quillan, and their coach CK Flash’s preparation, race victories and defeats, and their interactions with family and friends, all leading up to the World Championships. The film features a pulsating soundtrack of spoken-word and rap vignettes from musicians including UK rap artist Phreeda Sharp plus animated illustrations and archival footage of Peckham’s past.
1 Way Up was released in London theaters in the summer of 2014 with broadcasts following in the UK on MTV UK and in the US on Pivot Tv and was recently nominated for a Screen Nation Award for Independent Spirit Film Production. The filmmakers are especially proud of the impact the film has had so far on increasing awareness of the power of sports and spurring investment in youth sports activities in communities. For example, clips from the film were shown to a local council that was hesitant to build a BMX track in their borough but, according to the local commissioner, the film convinced them otherwise and they voted to approve the new track which opened in summer 2014 and is open to all youth in the London borough.
The producers at Shine Global also partnered with The LAMP, a NYC non-profit that teaches media literacy to youth, teachers, and parents in NY, to create companion workshops that help youth audiences to creatively delve deeper into the issues presented in the film while learning critical media literacy skills. Organizations, teams, and community groups can license the film to host a screening in their own community – the workshop instructions are included at no extra cost. To learn more about hosting a screening in your community visit 1wayup.com/host-a-screening
In addition to watching the film, you can help support 1 Way Up by:
1. Rating the movie on Netflix
2. Adding it to your queue/watch list
3. Telling us what you thought of the movie by filling out this short survey
4. Sharing the link on social media so more people find out about the movie
Not sure what to say? Here are some examples:
Check out the amazing doc @1WayUpMovie on #Netflix bit.ly/1wayupNetflix #KeepOnRiding
Amazing #BMX racing and inspirational story in @1WayUpMovie on #Netflix now! bit.ly/1wayupNetflix #KeepOnRiding
by Shine Global | Aug 6, 2014 | News, Shine News
We are thrilled to announce 1 Way Up will be broadcast on MTV UK this Sunday, August 10th at 9pm so make sure to tune in and to record to watch again!
MTV’s The Wrap Up says “With a perfectly fitting soundtrack by up and coming female rapper Phreeda Sharp, this inspirational film will have audiences rooting for the Peckham club’s success knowing what the boys have gone through to make it as far as they do.”
So make sure to tune in and see what everyone is talking about and be sure to share with friends!
Directed by first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up in 3D tells the story of Tre and Quillan, two teenage boys on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. This breathtaking sports action documentary features a pulsating soundtrack of spoken-word and rap vignettes. 1 Way Up in 3D premiered July 11th at the PeckhamPlex Cinema in London followed by screenings at several Picturehouse Cinemas across the city. It will be out in the US this fall.
The official soundtrack album is on iTunes featuring sounds from the film including Phreeda Sharp, bassDrumsnareDrum, AKS, and more! The official music video of the title track “1 Way Up” by Phreeda Sharp feat. Nefera and produced by bassDrumsnareDrum is on YouTube.
by Shine Global | Apr 16, 2014 | News, Shine News
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced today that Shine Global is one of the nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Art Works grant. Shine Global is recommended for a $70,000 grant to support the post production of our documentary film Selling Our Daughters.
Produced by Shine’s Susan MacLaury and co-directed by Josie Swantek and Dave Adams of Run Riot Films, Selling Our Daughters documents the exploitation of young girls in Thailand from the perspective of the girls themselves, their parents, a trafficker, and the organization founded to help them. Principal photography has been completed and the NEA grant will support aspects of post-production.
NEA Acting Chairman Shigekawa said, “The NEA is pleased to announce that Shine Global is recommended for an NEA Art Works grant. These NEA-supported projects will not only have a positive impact on local economies, but will also provide opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the arts, help our communities to become more vibrant, and support our nation’s artists as they contribute to our cultural landscape.”
Shine’s Executive Director Susan MacLaury said “We are thrilled to be recommended for this prestigious grant to support our work making documentary films aimed at ending the exploitation and abuse of children worldwide through the production of films and other media that raise awareness, promote action and inspire change.” Shine Global’s films include the 2013 Academy Award®-winning short documentary Inocente, The Harvest (La Cosecha) with Executive Producer Eva Longoria about child labor in the US, and the Academy Award®-nominated and Emmy Award®-winning War/Dance.
Shine Global deeply believes that social issue filmmaking inspires positive change for numerous societal challenges. For each film, Shine creates a tailored outreach and engagement campaign, develops and distributes free downloadable curriculum for teachers that expands the films’ educational impact, and screens its films for policy makers and influencers in support of policy change. Shine believes that the value of the arts to education and social change is intrinsic and exponential over time. Students learning in this way are engaged socially, emotionally, and intellectually, and develop into socially minded leaders of society.
Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. The NEA received 1,515 eligible applications under the Art Works category and recommended grants totaling $25.8 million.
To support Shine Global’s work, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today.
by Shine Global | Apr 7, 2014 | News, Shine a Light On, Shine News
We are thrilled to announce that our film 1 Way Up in 3D will premiere at the Montclair Film Festival on Sunday, May 4th, 2014. Producer Albie Hecht, Co-Producer Alexandra Blaney, and Executive Producer Susan MacLaury will all be in attendance.
Directed by first time director Amy Mathieson, 1 Way Up in 3D tells the story of two teens, 15-year old Quillan Isidore and Tre Whyte, 18, on the road to the BMX World Championships. They hope to escape one of the toughest gang neighborhoods in London with the only thing they have – a bike. Defying the stereotypes of “black boys in hoods” and the media portrayal of their neighborhood, they race to the top of the BMX ranks and off the streets.
“Black boys in hoods” are negatively stereotyped, especially by the media These distorted media depictions of black males contribute to negative stereotypes, unfair treatment, and unequal opportunity in areas ranging from employment to education to criminal justice and beyond. Inaccurate depictions can also affect black males’ self-perceptions and lead to diminished self-esteem. The constant reinforcement of negative lifestyles in the media can lead youth into thinking there are no other options. 1 Way Up shows that there are. It’s the story of the determination of two young athletes to defy this stereotype and strive for their personal best. It is also the story of a coach’s faith in the talent of his riders and his willingness to sacrifice his own career to help them succeed despite all odds.
1 Way Up is Shine’s first 3D documentary. Filmed with super slo-mo Phantom cameras and 3D GoPro’s mounted on bikes and riders, it has a soundtrack pulsating with the rhythm and soul of Peckham’s music. We have worked with several local London musicians on the film’s soundtrack including up and coming female rap artist Phreeda Sharp (recently featured on MTV’s Brand New Unsigned and dubbed “London’s hottest female rapper”). The 3D, animation, hip-hop, and spoken word are blended together to create an innovative action sports storytelling style that truly brings to life the power of sports to help youth succeed against all odds and defy stereotypes.
by Shine Global | Apr 7, 2014 | News, Shine News
In Dancing in Jaffa, produced by kNow Productions and Tiara Blu Films in association with Shine Global, meet the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Israeli 10-year olds who, despite being taught to hate one another, have the courage to partner together in a dance competition in Jaffa, Israel. Dancing in Jaffa opens at the IFC Center in New York on Friday, April 11th and in select theaters across the country through April and May following successful theatrical runs in Germany and France.
In this documentary directed by Hila Medalia, Pierre Dulaine, four-time ballroom dancing world champion, is fulfilling a life-long dream when he takes his program, Dancing Classrooms, back to his city of birth, Jaffa. For generations, Jaffa has been a city divided by two communities that continue to grow increasingly apart. Over a ten-week period, Pierre teaches Jewish and Palestinian Israeli children to dance and compete together. The film explores the complex stories of three children, all of whom who are forced to confront issues of identity, segregation, and racial prejudice as they dance with their enemy. We watch Pierre transform their lives, confirming his belief that dance can overcome hatred and provide the first steps towards real change.
The Hollywood Reporter calls Dancing in Jaffa a “heartwarming doc” that “illustrates the power of dance to bring people together.” It clearly shows the powerful role that the arts, and dance in particular, can play in enabling children to overcome prejudice and build strong personal ties with one another. Through his work, Pierre has demonstrated that the Dancing Classrooms method can be easily and successfully replicated worldwide.
Dancing in Jaffa has won several awards including Best Editing Award at Docaviv, the Audience Award at the Washington Jewish Film Festival,the Audience Award at Festival 2 Valenciennes in France, and Honorable Mention – One Future Award at Munich Filmfest 2013. It is also a part of of Sundance’s Film Forward program, an international touring program designed to enhance greater cultural understanding, collaboration and dialogue around the globe by engaging audiences through the exhibition of films, workshops and conversations with filmmakers. Film Forward is an initiative of the Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
DIRECTOR:
Hilla Medalia
PRODUCERS:
Hilla Medalia
Diane Nabatoff and Neta Zwebner-Zaibert
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS:
Jeremy Chilnick
LaToya Jackson
Nigel Lythgoe
Jeffre Phillips
Jonathan Shukat and Morgan Spurlock
NR, 86 Minutes
USA
