TEAM CREDITS:
Creative Director & Photographer: Ed Maximus // www.edmaximus.com // @edmaximus
Director: Sonia Malfa (Good Company) // www.goodco.tv/creatives/sonia-malfa // @sonsoll
Cinematographer: Lisa Rinzler // @rinzlerl
Model & Talent #1: Simone Awor // @simoneawor
Fashion Editor: Yety Akinola // www.yetyakinola.com // @yetyakinola
Executive Producer: Trevor Potts // www.goodco.tv // @goodcopix
Producer: Gisell Cabrera & Maki Sonobe
Production Designer: Rebekka Fellah // www.rebekkafellah.com // @rebekkafellah
Art Director: Chloe T. Nelson
Makeup Artist #1 (Motion & Still): Tara Lauren // www.taralauren.com // @taralauren
Makeup Artist #2 (Motion): Geeta Khanna // www.geetakhanna.com // @makeupbygeeta
Manicurist: Riwako Kobayashi
Gaffer: Moe Larena // @moemoneymayhem
Movement Director: Roya Carreras // www.royacarreras.com // @royacarreras
Motion Director: Roya Carreras
Photographer Assistants: Noah Bility & Poochie Collins
1st Assistant Camera: Sidney Gomes // @frvnce
Styling Assistants: Ellie Salaun & Erica Boisaubin
Producer Assistants: Camila Rueda & Gabrielle Lia
Dancer: Jamie Lee Rodney
Talent #2: Christabel Campbell
Talent #3 & Driver #1: Azuka Okeke
Driver #2: Omola Ochei
Driver #3: Edozie Eze
Floral Artist: Sreydy Ziobro // @phka_designs
BTS Photographer: Nyasia Sylvester
Editor: Drew Horen
Composer: Eli Fola // www.elifola.co // @eli.fola
Sound Designer/Mixer: Nicholas Montgomery
Colorist: Daniel Silverman
Color Grade Facility: Moving Picture Company // www.moving-picture.com
SHOT AT:
7Line Studio // www.7linestudio.com // @7linestudio
InnisFree Garden // www.innisfreegarden.org
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Alliah Sophia Mourad || Anne Hubbell || Dominique Babineaux || Ed Koenig || George Brown Studios || Kate Kerin || Kodak || Kodie-Ann Miller || Newel Props || Robert Mastronardi || Cloak || True and Co.
VIDEO FASHION CREDITS:
Nature Scene with Couple
Simone:
Suit by Danielle Frankel; www.daniellefrankelstudio.com Earrings by BJORG ; https://bjorgjewellery.com
Azuka:
Suit and shirt by BOSS; www.hugoboss.com
Hospital Scene
Top, Skirt with belt by Victoria Beckham; www.international.victoriabeckham.com Coat by DROMe ; www.drome.it
Heels by Manolo Blahnik; www.manoloblahnik.com
Earrings by Annika Inez; www.annikainez.com
Nature Scene with Friend
Simone:
Dress by Coach 1941 ; www.coach.com
Christabel:
Top by Danielle Frankel; www.daniellefrankelstudio.com Skirt, Vintage
IN DEDICATION TO: DR. JANE FRANCES NYABURU OKOTH
Doctor, Mother, Humanitarian
December 5th, 1957 - March 1st, 2018
She was the second woman doctor from her tribe the Jopadhola in Tororo, Uganda.
After a long and brave journey with Breast Cancer she passed away in March 2018
She is survived by her four children Simone, Pinto, Lawrence, Paul; and the Okoth and Adhola families.
ABOUT the PROJECT:
I have known Simone since I first moved to NYC 5 years ago. Although we didn’t meet in person until this year, we were always casually chatting on Social Media. In 2017, when I found out she was diagnosed with cancer, I became worried and was always checking up on her to see if she was OK. When we finally met earlier this year, she told me everything she went through for the past 2 years. I was blown away by her story and immediately wanted to facilitate a mean for her to tell it to the world. This project is a testament to her strength and resilience as a human being.
Below is Simone in her own word:
“While on set for this project, it felt like I was living out my childhood dreams. I was surrounded by a team of creatives, some old friends and some new faces that have now become dear friends in my heart. I also found myself processing a grief that was difficult, if not dangerous, to access during treatment.
My mother passed away just a few weeks before I was to start chemotherapy. I was facing the worst fear of my life. My mother, my purest love, died. She was such a formidable force within the Ugandan community enclave and a beacon to my life. My sun, my North Star, my guardian angel had suddenly dispersed amongst the cosmos… Unbeknownst to me, she had disclosed to her sisters that she hoped I would be able to tolerate the pain of cancer treatment. What I would give to show her that I was able to not only tolerate the pain but flourish for moments like this.
After seeing the first cut of the short movie, I didn’t know what to say or do with myself. I had the same rush of inspiration that a good story often gives me. I turned to my husband and looked at him in shock: “Babe, that was amazing. And… that’s me. She’s not a fictional character, she’s me!”.
This project has given me the opportunity to stand beside myself and see, perhaps, what those around me had witnessed. I was too busy trying to survive, heal, and wade in the deep waters of grief without being taken by the undercurrents of despair. I didn’t allow myself much time to think about how this journey was changing me. But thanks to Ed Maximus, Sonia Malfa, and everyone else involved, I finally saw a bit of my light reflected to me. What a gift! It’s a rare opportunity to watch oneself rise from ashes.
My journey through cancer and my mother’s passing have also provided me a chance to fully explore self-love. I had ample time to ask myself what I wanted out of my life, now that I have been given a second chance. This project gave me one answer out of many. I want to live a life full of creativity, job, and meaning. I want my life itself to read like a work of meaningful art. I want to collaborate with people I respect and care about. My desire is to live authentically and with grace.
I’m writing this reflection from Kampala, Uganda. The city I was born in. The city where I am currently experiencing a rebirth. It has been about a week since I had the opportunity to visit my mother’s grave for the first time since her passing in March 2018. I was too ill then due to chemotherapy to travel to our home country and attend her funeral. I had no idea how much pain I was detached from until I finally saw her tombstone.
Kampala, city of birth, city of rebirth in this post cancer life… I have been surrounded by family from both maternal and paternal side since I arrived here. My younger cousins have been doting on me. The cousins closer to my age have been providing me companionship. I now can fully process and cope with the grief that I had been avoiding out of fear and pragmatism..."
