In a time of social distancing, people across the world have been finding new and creative ways to stay connected. A group of women from all over the world who have (mostly) never met joined forces to produce a short film and combat the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by Kitty O’Meara’s viral poem ‘In the Time of Pandemic’, And the People narrates the stories of resilience and human solidarity that characterise these times of crisis.
Combining content from opposite sides of the globe, the short-film – created by an all-female team led by filmmakers Julia Ngeow and Marion Bergin – together with UN Women COVID-19 Pandemic Response, aims to provide financial support to women fighting Coronavirus on the frontline and those vulnerable to domestic violence. It also supports women who represent 70 percent of global health and social workers at the heart of response efforts underway.
“We want to support women who aren’t in a privileged position like us that have a safe place to stay, by raising awareness and support for them,” said Ash Halliburton, one of the film’s producers.
Through a collection of readings in ten different languages, shot in more than 20 countries, the short film celebrates human connections amid a global pandemic. “It’s been one of the most interesting collaborations I’ve ever done, in the most unusual circumstances,” Bergin said from isolation in Ireland.
Watch the incredible video below:
