The Other Side of the Sea
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary
At the Venice Biennale, Ukrainian President Zelensky called artists to action, “Art can tell the world things that cannot be shared otherwise, conveying feelings.” Our response: making this film to reimagine the global refugee crisis, uniting Syrian and Ukrainian struggles after Russia’s invasion.
The Other Side of the Sea
New York City, New York | Film Short
Documentary
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $12,580 for post-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
33 supporters | followers
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At the Venice Biennale, Ukrainian President Zelensky called artists to action, “Art can tell the world things that cannot be shared otherwise, conveying feelings.” Our response: making this film to reimagine the global refugee crisis, uniting Syrian and Ukrainian struggles after Russia’s invasion.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Missing from the headlines are stories of global communities uniting with Ukrainian-Americans against oppressive autocracy and propaganda. Using art, music, and direct action, these New Yorkers are bringing people together instead of isolating cultures.
This project aims to build consciousness of the shared historical implications of the war in Ukraine -- and will be a very powerful tool for NGOs, peace organizations, educational institutions and other organizations and business stakeholders. Please consider getting involved -- we have provided licensing options to book a screening for your community at different pledge levels and are very excited to get involved in your community!
SYNOPSIS
After Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb 2022, our community of immigrant artists and musicians in the New York City area looked to the other side of the world. They felt stunned and frozen and needed to do something to bring awareness to the war and refugee crisis.
We can only witness Ukraine’s hardship of fighting the invasion, which has taken many citizens’ lives and created massive damage to the country.
They seek to renew a connection to the other side of the sea. Their instruments of change are pianos and paintbrushes. Haunted and inspired by the upheavals facing family and friends, neighbors and strangers in their home countries, they take action through art.
We meet Ukrainian pianist Alex Pryrodny as he begins to put together benefit concerts to support the people of Ukraine.
He starts reaching out to other artists and attending art auctions as well, where he meets Ukraine-born visual artist Irina Sheynfeld who has started the Odessa Peace Fund, which auctions visual art to send supplies to Odessa residents and other regions of Ukraine.
At a chance encounter at one of Irina’s art auctions, Alex sees Armenian-Syrian visual artist Kevork Mourad’s art pieces and is inspired to reach out to him and invite him to participate in a benefit concert.
“We are all humans. We need to help each other in crisis.”
Kevork Mourad (Visual Artist, Syria)
As Ukrainian pianist Alex Pryrodny says, “we can’t ignore injustice or something bad happening in the other parts of the world.” If we ignore injustice, everyone can be the next victim and be a refugee.
At the end of the film, we connect with activists outside of the artistic community who are speaking about their anger over Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. We see an enormous Ukrainian flag raised in Central Park on Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24th. It’s a moment for empowered Ukrainians in NYC to come together, even as the Russian invasion continues to wreak havoc over their homeland.
As an immigrant from Taiwan, Director Hsuan Yu Pan worries about the same thing happening with China’s hold on Taiwan. We only have to look to Syrian refugees to understand the destruction and homelessness of the refugee crisis, created by the Russian military. This is history, this is the present day and it could be the future for Taiwan. We need to keep this story alive for the sake of Ukrainians, Syrians, Taiwanese people and global citizens who could be next.
We are finishing up production and heading into editing the full film. With your help, we can raise $15,000 to pay for our editor, colorist, sound engineer and producing team.
The finished film will be available for all Wrap Party audience members in December, tickets can be purchased for $200 and above through the perks listed above. We also welcome your participation in this campaign! There are several levels of perks for screening the film to your organization, in the classroom, and for your own home use.
Join the movement and sign up for updates so that we can keep you informed about the film along the way! You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to be kept in the loop. Do you want to share this project with someone else? You can tag @heareathome and tell your story.
Here are some sample tweets/posts:
Please join me in funding @heareathome so we can build bridges with our refugee neighbors.
On Instagram: This film @theothersideofthesea is a powerful weapon to authoritarian rule: art and activism. Join me in supporting them!
Our Stretch Goal:
If we are able to raise more than $15,000, we can submit the film to festivals, conferences, impact screenings and distribution costs.
COVID-19 Statement:
Please note that while COVID-19 is still an active threat to health and safety, our team works remotely in most cases. While filming we have worn masks and practiced social distancing to keep our subjects and crew safe. Even though COVID-19 is an active worry, making this film during the breakout of the war in Ukraine is paramount as the risks from Russia continue to propel the world into dangerous territory.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor
Costs $5,000
The editor will put the film together on the screen. This is essential to the film's success.
Sound Mix
Costs $1,500
Our audio engineer will fix any audio issues and master the sound mix
Color Correction
Costs $1,500
A colorist will be able to balance color tones for a cinematic experience
Motion Graphics Designer
Costs $1,400
Our motion graphics designer will work on credits and digital assets
Legal Fees
Costs $500
We will need to pay an attorney to finalize the film for distribution
Insurance
Costs $2,000
We need to cover insurance expenses such as Liability and Errors & Omissions before distribution
Festival Fees
Costs $100
So that we can submit the film to festivals!
Producer
Costs $3,000
Our producer works with the director on story, impact strategy and educational outreach.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director Hsuan Yu Pan, an immigrant documentary filmmaker in NYC, has been passionate about telling human stories through her lens. Her prior films Shinobu, My Mother’s Table and Alone/Together not only feature immigrants at the center, but provide a global interconnectedness between us all. Joining her on the production team is frequent collaborator and producer Nancy Wolfe, who has been covering nuclear weapons in short form and feature-length documentaries since 2015, and has been inspired to see Ukrainian activists leading a movement in NYC to bring an end to Russia’s war. Another producer on the team, Emmy-winning journalist Greg Mocker has been covering life in NYC for all New Yorkers at the macro level. Read our bios below for more on our talented team members.
Director
Originally from Taiwan, documentary filmmaker Hsuan Yu Pan has been exploring human stories through her lens for over a decade. Her documentary short “My Mother’s Table”, about the Syrian refugee crisis, was selected at the 2020 American Documentary Film Festival.
Producer
Nancy Wolfe has been producing documentaries since 2009, most recently on Hsuan Yu Pan’s ALONE/TOGETHER, a global experimental project that brings voices from 13 countries telling their own stories of mental health and racism. Her directorial debut, ROCKY FLATS, was selected for the 2021 DOC NYC Film Festival Industry Program.
Producer
For more than 25 years, Emmy award-winning journalist Greg Mocker has been talking about the issues and concerns facing people in the neighborhoods of America. As a local news reporter, he has traveled from the deserts of Arizona to the top of the Empire State Building. He currently lives in New York City, where he contributes to national broadcasts and reports the daily news at a local station.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Missing from the headlines are stories of global communities uniting with Ukrainian-Americans against oppressive autocracy and propaganda. Using art, music, and direct action, these New Yorkers are bringing people together instead of isolating cultures.
This project aims to build consciousness of the shared historical implications of the war in Ukraine -- and will be a very powerful tool for NGOs, peace organizations, educational institutions and other organizations and business stakeholders. Please consider getting involved -- we have provided licensing options to book a screening for your community at different pledge levels and are very excited to get involved in your community!
SYNOPSIS
After Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb 2022, our community of immigrant artists and musicians in the New York City area looked to the other side of the world. They felt stunned and frozen and needed to do something to bring awareness to the war and refugee crisis.
We can only witness Ukraine’s hardship of fighting the invasion, which has taken many citizens’ lives and created massive damage to the country.
They seek to renew a connection to the other side of the sea. Their instruments of change are pianos and paintbrushes. Haunted and inspired by the upheavals facing family and friends, neighbors and strangers in their home countries, they take action through art.
We meet Ukrainian pianist Alex Pryrodny as he begins to put together benefit concerts to support the people of Ukraine.
He starts reaching out to other artists and attending art auctions as well, where he meets Ukraine-born visual artist Irina Sheynfeld who has started the Odessa Peace Fund, which auctions visual art to send supplies to Odessa residents and other regions of Ukraine.
At a chance encounter at one of Irina’s art auctions, Alex sees Armenian-Syrian visual artist Kevork Mourad’s art pieces and is inspired to reach out to him and invite him to participate in a benefit concert.
“We are all humans. We need to help each other in crisis.”
Kevork Mourad (Visual Artist, Syria)
As Ukrainian pianist Alex Pryrodny says, “we can’t ignore injustice or something bad happening in the other parts of the world.” If we ignore injustice, everyone can be the next victim and be a refugee.
At the end of the film, we connect with activists outside of the artistic community who are speaking about their anger over Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. We see an enormous Ukrainian flag raised in Central Park on Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24th. It’s a moment for empowered Ukrainians in NYC to come together, even as the Russian invasion continues to wreak havoc over their homeland.
As an immigrant from Taiwan, Director Hsuan Yu Pan worries about the same thing happening with China’s hold on Taiwan. We only have to look to Syrian refugees to understand the destruction and homelessness of the refugee crisis, created by the Russian military. This is history, this is the present day and it could be the future for Taiwan. We need to keep this story alive for the sake of Ukrainians, Syrians, Taiwanese people and global citizens who could be next.
We are finishing up production and heading into editing the full film. With your help, we can raise $15,000 to pay for our editor, colorist, sound engineer and producing team.
The finished film will be available for all Wrap Party audience members in December, tickets can be purchased for $200 and above through the perks listed above. We also welcome your participation in this campaign! There are several levels of perks for screening the film to your organization, in the classroom, and for your own home use.
Join the movement and sign up for updates so that we can keep you informed about the film along the way! You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to be kept in the loop. Do you want to share this project with someone else? You can tag @heareathome and tell your story.
Here are some sample tweets/posts:
Please join me in funding @heareathome so we can build bridges with our refugee neighbors.
On Instagram: This film @theothersideofthesea is a powerful weapon to authoritarian rule: art and activism. Join me in supporting them!
Our Stretch Goal:
If we are able to raise more than $15,000, we can submit the film to festivals, conferences, impact screenings and distribution costs.
COVID-19 Statement:
Please note that while COVID-19 is still an active threat to health and safety, our team works remotely in most cases. While filming we have worn masks and practiced social distancing to keep our subjects and crew safe. Even though COVID-19 is an active worry, making this film during the breakout of the war in Ukraine is paramount as the risks from Russia continue to propel the world into dangerous territory.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Editor
Costs $5,000
The editor will put the film together on the screen. This is essential to the film's success.
Sound Mix
Costs $1,500
Our audio engineer will fix any audio issues and master the sound mix
Color Correction
Costs $1,500
A colorist will be able to balance color tones for a cinematic experience
Motion Graphics Designer
Costs $1,400
Our motion graphics designer will work on credits and digital assets
Legal Fees
Costs $500
We will need to pay an attorney to finalize the film for distribution
Insurance
Costs $2,000
We need to cover insurance expenses such as Liability and Errors & Omissions before distribution
Festival Fees
Costs $100
So that we can submit the film to festivals!
Producer
Costs $3,000
Our producer works with the director on story, impact strategy and educational outreach.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Director Hsuan Yu Pan, an immigrant documentary filmmaker in NYC, has been passionate about telling human stories through her lens. Her prior films Shinobu, My Mother’s Table and Alone/Together not only feature immigrants at the center, but provide a global interconnectedness between us all. Joining her on the production team is frequent collaborator and producer Nancy Wolfe, who has been covering nuclear weapons in short form and feature-length documentaries since 2015, and has been inspired to see Ukrainian activists leading a movement in NYC to bring an end to Russia’s war. Another producer on the team, Emmy-winning journalist Greg Mocker has been covering life in NYC for all New Yorkers at the macro level. Read our bios below for more on our talented team members.
Director
Originally from Taiwan, documentary filmmaker Hsuan Yu Pan has been exploring human stories through her lens for over a decade. Her documentary short “My Mother’s Table”, about the Syrian refugee crisis, was selected at the 2020 American Documentary Film Festival.
Producer
Nancy Wolfe has been producing documentaries since 2009, most recently on Hsuan Yu Pan’s ALONE/TOGETHER, a global experimental project that brings voices from 13 countries telling their own stories of mental health and racism. Her directorial debut, ROCKY FLATS, was selected for the 2021 DOC NYC Film Festival Industry Program.
Producer
For more than 25 years, Emmy award-winning journalist Greg Mocker has been talking about the issues and concerns facing people in the neighborhoods of America. As a local news reporter, he has traveled from the deserts of Arizona to the top of the Empire State Building. He currently lives in New York City, where he contributes to national broadcasts and reports the daily news at a local station.