There are an estimated 123.2 million forcibly displaced people globally, according to the UN refugee authority, UNHCR. Ukrainian musician, Ivan Dorn, and Latvian director, Andzej Gavriss have experienced displacement themselves. The pair have come together to present the refugee experience through a new lens, offering a powerful, positive, and nuanced perspective on migration and an understanding of the complex heritage and unbreakable spirit of migrants. The film was produced by Ukrainian production powerhouse shelter.film, now exiled from Ukraine.
Their 13.5 minute music video film, Foreign Root, is a universal story of survival against the odds.
Foreign Root follows a bus filled with migrants as they navigate the challenges of displacement and the uncertainty of their future. Ivan Dorn, who co-wrote and soundtracked the film, also stars as the bus driver. He leads the journey across state lines, while contending with border controls, as the passengers find solace and strength in music, shared stories, and each other. The film juxtaposes surrealist elements with a visceral portrayal of the loneliness and fear of being stateless, creating an emotional portrait of humanity.
The film channels both the artist’s and director’s experiences of displacement and is surprising uplifting. Its own story is as compelling as its narrative. Shelter.film relocated its activities as part of a security response to the war and has since joined forces with its pre-war rival, Radioaktive, to form a joint venture supporting the industry and all specialists striving to maintain resilience inside and outside Ukraine. Now operating together in Georgia, Slovenia, and Croatia, while still involving Ukrainian heads and key specialists, the partners have redefined collaboration in the face of crisis. Foreign Root was produced by shelter.film in its current office in Georgia.
Ivan Dorn commented, “I started out writing a song. Then decided to launch it with a music video about migration. But this subject matter cut so deep and really took hold of both me and the director, Andzej Gavriss, so we ended up making a 13 minute short film. Foreign Root challenges people’s prejudices or unconscious biases about migrants. The film underscores the individual value of each person and what we stand to gain from each other. It draws from my own experience of displacement.”
Andzej Gavriss added, “With the world turning upside down lately, I wanted to make a film as naive and honest as a child’s drawing.”
Credits:
Director: Andzej Gavriss
DOP: Adric Watson
Production Designer: Julija Friscone
Editor: David Gesslbauer
Music Artist: Ivan Dorn
Agent : Katerina Maliukova
Production Company: SHELTER.FILM
Founding Partner: Albert Zurashvili
Head of Bidding: Marina Karmolit
Executive Producer: Gena Shevchenko
Line Producer: Yulia Foster
