HIAS | WE OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THEM
Role: Director
“There are people who are wounded in their heart. There are people who are going hungry, who are in need, who are desperate. When they come to HIAS, we will open our hearts and arms to them.”
This film brings together the stories of four women: two who were forced to flee their homes, and two who have devoted their lives to helping others find safety.
Ailisec and Divine escaped Venezuela and Uganda after facing oppression and direct threats to their lives. In Ecuador and Kenya, they found support through HIAS, the world’s first Jewish refugee resettlement agency. Sabrina and Lucy are among the HIAS staff members who welcomed them, advocated for their rights, and helped them begin rebuilding their lives in safety.
SideXSide Studios has partnered with HIAS for years to tell the stories of the people it serves and the staff who work tirelessly on their behalf. For the organization’s inaugural gala, we helped identify and develop the featured stories, while I served as director of photography in Ecuador and simultaneously directed a local crew in Kenya remotely across a multi-day production.
credits
Production Company: SideXSideStudios
Director: Kathryn Carlson
DOP: Kathryn Carlson
Unit DOP Kenya: Zippy Kumundo
Producer: Deanna Del Ciello
Lead Editor: Kathryn Carlson
Editor: Liza Slutskaya