You won’t see where this story is taking you. That’s what makes it stand out. There are so many stories vying for everyone’s attention, so it’s rather important that this one holds your attention from the first frame to last.
When it does reveal itself, it becomes an ad to encourage people to look out for those who are missing. But again, strikingly different. It’s a missing persons awareness ad that doesn’t focus on those missing, but on those left behind.
The story is by Common Ventures for the Australian Federal Police, for Missing Persons’ Week.
AFP deputy commissioner, Neil Gaughan, commented, “This film echoes the real life grief of so many Australians who live in constant uncertainty, not knowing if or when their loved one will come back.”
James Crawley, director, Common Ventures, added, “The most heartbreaking thing we found when learning about Missing Persons’ Week, was the debilitating effect it has on the families left behind.
“They are left in limbo. They can’t move through the grief, and their life is essentially put on hold.”
The spot is inspired from a true story. It’s a story with a host of relatives, like that of Eileen Fahey, whose son, Anthony Fahey, went missing in 2013. “While we are currently endeavouring to sell our house,” she explained.
“It’s upsetting because what if Anthony comes home and someone else is living here? How will he find us, how will he feel, what will he do? I also worry that, if we sell, I won’t have the memories of him being in the house. I’m afraid that I’ll forget the image of him sitting at the end of the bench and the sound of his voice. It’s all tied up in the house – how can I leave it?”
As part of the 30th National Missing Persons’ Week activities, the AFP and its state and territory counterparts are also profiling 30 long-term missing people from around the nation on social media and outdoor advertising.
“It’s important that we raise awareness of this issue, including the reasons why people go missing, the social and financial impacts, and how the community can get involved,” Gaughan noted.
“This might mean taking an interest and sharing our social media posts, or sharing a photo of an outdoor advertisement. After all, the community is our eyes and ears in these cases, helping police find the many thousands of people who go missing each year.”
Credits:
Creative & Production Company: Common Ventures
Director & Creative Director: James Crawley
1st AD: Adam Wareham
Cinematographer: George Tyler
Executive Creative Director: Brian Merrifield
Producer & Account Manager: Lisa Pizarro
Copywriter: Daniel Nutman
Junior Creatives: Lucy Karsai & Dillon Harré
Talent: Alan Dukes & Ruby Burke
Music & Sound Design: Rumble Studios
Client: Australian Federal Police [National Missing Persons Coordination Centre]
