THE FILM
South Sudan is the most dangerous place to have a baby in the world because of malnutrition, disease, a lack of doctors, ongoing civil unrest and a lack of transportation. When it is time to deliver, mothers must walk for hours and sometimes days from their village, through the bush to the nearest hospital, if there even is one. Many mothers deliver in their tukuls (mud huts) unattended by any medical professional.
Walk alongside an expectant South Sudanese mother to experience the days leading up to the delivery of her baby in the newest nation of the world. See her journey from her village to Harvesters’ His House of Hope, where she will receive pre-natal care and a safe place to have her baby. Part of the film will be shot in an immersive first person perspective that allows viewers to experience the challenges and rewards of childbirth in the most realistic way possible. It will feel as though your senses are one with hers.
We want to address the philosophical question: what are the motives for raising a child in South Sudan, where the dismal realities of malnutrition, disease and civil war loom over the child’s existence? Is there a feeling of joy and honor that transcends those realities? It is natural to want to pass something on. We want to articulate this intangible desire and other beliefs surrounding new life in South Sudan.
ABOUT HARVESTERS’ HIS HOUSE OF HOPE
Harvesters’ His House of Hope Hospital opened its doors in March 2012 in response to a growing health care crisis that was affecting those most vulnerable within the Yei community of South Sudan – women and children. Built on Harvesters’ foundational mission to provide discipleship, education and health care to orphans, the focus at His House of Hope is on reducing illness and death from preventable and treatable diseases, and to improve pregnancy outcomes by providing care before, during and after pregnancy. A holistic approach, where relationships are being established with patients and family members, is a hallmark of their care. At His House of Hope, patients are no longer just a statistic, they are a story to be told, a life to be cherished, a gift from God.
Why do we do this work? Because in South Sudan…
•1 in 7 women have a risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth
•Only 16% of the women receive any prenatal care
•1 out of 9 newborns will die before they reach the age of five
•Less than 10% of children receive routine immunizations
•1 doctor per 100,000 people
MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Nick Rose enjoys traveling and building a global network of entrepreneurs and artists. Wherever he is in the world he captures his environment with photographs and videos. In addition to being a lifestyle photographer, Nick runs a production company called King’s Crown Collective and has worked with clients such as Red Bull, LRG Clothing Company and DJ/Producer RJD2. He also serves as Chief Creative Officer at SAVETHEFACE. Nick is an avid reader and loves exercising his imagination by bringing stories to life using his photo, video, graphic design and animation skills.
Nick’s portfolio of work can be viewed at www.kingscrownco.com
Aidan Guynez has been making films since he was in middle school. He has extensive experience working with all kinds of equipment. He has made numerous short films, promotion videos and lots of wedding videos. His technical skills and sharp eye for cinematic shots are what makes him a valuable asset to this team. He is well traveled and has developed good business acumen from running his own film company, Guynez Films.
Aidan’s portfolio of work can be viewed at www.guynez.com
Lukas Huber is an urban explorer and photographer. Urban exploring is climbing to the tops of skyscrapers and abandoned buildings for the sake of photographing spectacular views. Lukas is always up for an adventure. He is an aspiring photo journalist and hopes to one day shoot for National Geographic. He is drawn to areas of conflict and poverty because he believes that is where to find the rawest forms of human emotion.
Lukas’ photographs can be viewed at www.instagram.com/lukashuber
IF THE INDIEGOGO IS SUCCESSFUL…
The three crew members will use the money to buy plane tickets, get immunizations and rent the equipment needed to make the film. Also, some money will be spent on post production services like color-correction, sound mastering and DVD manufacturing. We intend to submit the final edit of the movie to film festivals across the country, which also costs money.
Any leftover funds will be donated to Harvesters’ His House of Hope so they can continue delivering care to those who need it most.
REWARDS
$35 Level | DVD and Book
($35 level) Adventures Under the Mango Tree by Lillian Ann Klepp
Hearing the tremendous needs of orphans in Sudan, an ordinary woman in Wisconsin prayed, “Lord, what can I do?” His answer was life altering! “Sell all you have and give it to the poor,” He said. Acting in faith and with a heavy burden for orphans, author Lillian Klepp and her husband, Dennis, sold everything they had and moved to war-torn Yei, Sudan. There they opened Harvesters Orphanage and Christian School and His House of Hope in a place ranked worst in the world for women and children’s well-being. Together, in the midst of a civil war, they battle chronic malnutrition, poor schooling, cancer, malaria, and poverty. Adventures Under the Mango Tree is Lillian’s journal of touching stories with heartwarming photographs of the precious orphans they help, the dedicated people who love them, and the often life-threatening struggles they face together.
$75 Level | Small-Sized Photo Print
Donate at this level and receive this small sized photo print of the Philadelphia skyline by Lukas Huber
($75 level) “Philadelphia” Small Photo Print by Lukas Huber
$250 Level | Medium-Sized Photo Print
Donate at this level and choose one of the following three medium sized photo prints by the director, Nick Rose. You will receive an email from Nick asking which one you would like.
($250 level) “Life Finds A Way” Medium Photo Print by Nick Rose
($250 level) “Poverty and Wealth” Medium Photo Print by Nick Rose
($250 level) “PSFS” Medium Photo Print by Nick Rose
$500 Level | Large-Sized Photo Print
Donate at this level and choose one of the following three large sized photo prints by Lukas Huber. You will receive an email from Lukas asking which one you would like.
($500 level) “Pleasant Walks” Large Photo Print by Lukas Huber
($500 level) “Rooftops” Large Photo Print by Lukas Huber
($500 level) “Golden Hour” Large Photo Print by Lukas Huber
$1,000 Level | Private Premier
The filmmakers will come to your house (or we can host you-doesn’t matter) and premier the film for you and 10 of your family and friends. Feel free to ask the filmmakers about how specific shots and scenes were captured. They will no doubt have some interesting stories to tell after the trip! (4 avail.)
$2,500 Level | Signed Script and Private Dinner
The filmmakers will give you signed and laminated original copies of the scripts and shot lists used on site in South Sudan. They will also provide other behind the scenes documentation. In addition, enjoy a private dinner for two at Ela restaurant in Queen Village, Philadelphia by chef Jason Cichonski. Chef Cichonski appeared on the hit TV show Top Chef. (1 avail.)
$5,000 Level | Firsthand Experience at HHH
An informative, intense and rewarding experience. For Pediatric, OBGYN, family medicine or surgical doctor or nurse: two weeks of observing and participating in the work at His House of Hope Hospital in South Sudan. The work you’ll be doing is fulfilling, and the relationships you’ll build are priceless. (1 avail.) *Subject to standard HRTN screening and application process.
$10,000 Level | All Expenses Paid Trip to South Sudan
One person will observe and participate in the work at the His House of Hope Hospital for one special week. Work side by side with the doctors, nurses and midwives who are changing lives in South Sudan. (1 avail.) *Subject to standard HRTN screening and application process.
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We are so excited to work with you to make this project as successful as possible. So, please join us in making this documentary a reality.
Thank you,
Nick Rose
Music in our video by KAYTRANADA.
Special thanks for all their help with this project:
Steve Huber
Steve Roese
Brittaney Porsche
Diane Black
Dr. Jeff Perry
Dr. Graham Poole
Michael and Anna Kwon
Stephen Wood
Bill Cassidy
Shawn Small