Film on Mercy is int’l awardee

Blue, an animated short by Breech Asher Harani.

A realization from the film closely tackles on mercy since its concluding message portrays how we should treat people equally in our community amidst ones differences.

“From the word mercy itself, it means kindness and forgiveness. I think it related because the core message of the film Blue is that those people who are in a foreign land are also humans too who also deserve love and care”, Harani expressed.

Breech Asher Harani, a former mass communication student of Holy Cross of Davao College, travelled all the way to New York last December 3 to receive an International Jury Award.

ON THE FILMMAKING EVENT
Two hundred forty (240) film entries coming from 59 countries around the world competed in the 3 major categories namely: Junior, 12-17 and 18-25 categories in the PLURAL+Youth Festival 2015 and Award Ceremony happened at Paley Center for Media, New York City.

One entry from each category will be given the International Jury Award and Breech Asher Harani as one of the participants in the 18-25 category did not fail to garner one.

Aside from the said prestigious award, the partner organizations of the event also appreciated his film titled “BLUE” and thus given the United Nations Television Award from United Nations Television Channel and CHINH India Award from an organization for Children’s Film Festival.

ON THE FILM BLUE
“Migration. Social Inclusion. Diversity.”

Set as the theme of the said festival, an issue that is very timely—since the world is facing on the Syrian refugees, and Philippines which continually exports to other countries its human resource—Blue is about a blue person who left his family to experience new life in a foreign place. It explains the feeling of being in a strange land and the effects of its environment especially to young people who experience discrimination and isolation in the society where they are already situated. As the supporting background of the film, it also depicts the issues experienced by most migrants as they feel alone and unwelcomed in a foreign community.

As to why it was remarked as the best film in the 18-25 category is none other than the reasons of its visual presentation and simplicity. According to Harani, one jury commented that the film was really simple but the message was really clear; that even kids will enjoy it and will understand the issue since it is in an animated form which basically makes it watchable.

ON THE FILMMAKER BREECH
Breech Harani is a hobbyist and passionate indie filmmaker for several years already who have received countless awards coming from different filmmaking competitions. His crafted films were recognized by various organizations that promote and advocates social, political and environmental awareness.

But just like everybody else who was on top, he also started as a student who once dreamed and aspired to become the person he is right now. Way back in high school, his sister had a cell phone with a camera which of course during that time has a low quality resolution. He used it for taking random clips of video which ultimately serve as the bridge for him to appreciate films.

His skill on the field of filmmaking was honed as he enters the tertiary world. He met some of the instructors that really taught him on the technicalities and strategies in videography. He remarkably said that there’s this instructor who would really puts into application all his explanation. Another instructor introduced him to the topic audience psychology which is very helpful in connecting to the viewers once you craft films.

“Nahasa lang gyud siguro ko sa TV Production class namo. Didto gyud nako na love ang filmmaking so pag graduate nako nakadecide ko nga mao ni na path akoang i-take”, Harani uttered.

The above-mentioned instructors together with his ever-loving parents eventually became his life support and motivation in doing filmmaking endeavors up until now.

When asked about what his moral code in making films, and the importance of it to his life he said “Number 1 rule in filmmaking—there is no rule. You can do everything you want— Film can help mold people’s mind. Minsan we just thought it’s just for entertainment but for us, it’s deeper than that. Every frame we shot, every sequence we make has symbolical representations. It makes me sad na maraming films made just for the sake of earning money. For me, it’s always art first before profit.”

Harani as one of the many artists perceives his crafts as one of the things that would really confer bliss; would really leave a mark on people’s lives and record in the film industry (as he is doing now) and; would contribute to the artistry of this world.

“Art is slowly fading, to be honest, as long as it is still thriving, I’m glad I could say that I’m part of it”, he commented.

As for dealing with hardships with regard to producing films, he said that he has encountered already countless of rejections and failures but he accepted those as part of the design of getting one’s goal.

“Every time it happens, ang naa lang sa akoang mind is it happens for a reason. And well, it’s true. If not because of rejections and criticisms, siguro dili nako mahimo kung unsa akong mahimo karon. I embrace those like they are part of everything. Ma immune lang ka madugay”, he said.

With all the lessons he get from his experiences, part of it are the people who come and go who shared tiny bits of inspiration in his life. These are the reasons he continually pursues his passion as it also emphasized well on his mantra: Never ever stop. Just keep going. As long as I am breathing, there’s no reason to stop, no matter what the circumstance is.

“I consider myself now familiar with the art form but I know I still have a lot to learn, like a lot. I don’t deprive myself from learning new things. It’s always a learning process” Harani emphasized.

He concluded it with an advice to those people who still hope for their dreams to be realized: “Never let people dictate your life. Choose your own path. Not even your parents or your best friends can decide what you want to do in your life. Follow what makes you happy and you’ll never regret.” (Ginalyn Vistal)