The director of the short film, Voicenote, commissioned by Hope Guardians has been shortlisted for an international award. I encourage all youngsters and parents alike to take the time to watch it. It has been a minute since something has made such an impact, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Robyn Simpson.
Every day, all day, the youth is flooded with stuff. That saying – you can be surrounded by people and still be alone, rings true more so than ever in this wild digital era. The floodgates of messages, memes, emails, group chats, content, content, content never stops. Sometimes, it all gets too much.
We’re completely desensitised as a result. Yet still, this film managed to punch me right in the gut.
Anxiety. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t experience it – and it lives symbiotically with depression. One fuelling the other in a life-taking-life exasperation of sanity. Panic attacks? Well, they’re just part of the package you never wished to receive.
The pressure to keep up, show up, be enough is immense.
Voicenote was directed by South African Talya Galasko, whose short films have screened internationally. The Young Director Award is the only award dedicated to rising young directors and this year’s list features 153 films by young directors from over 20 countries.
The six-minute film depicts a young man, played by Thapelo Marapofela, fighting depression and anxiety, as he battles to commit to seeing a friend. It ends with an uplifting message that #EvenHeroesNeedHope and that talking to a professional is possible through Hope Guardians.
Voicenote was also handpicked by the video hosting and sharing platform Vimeo as one of the best short films on the internet. It carries the “Staff Picks” badge of honour on the website, getting the content in front of a huge community of artists, producers, influencers, and hiring managers.“The making of Voicenote was a nurturing and collaborative effort on the part of so many young creatives who themselves suffer from anxiety, depression and other forms of mental illness,” said Galasko.
“I’m grateful that this film will reach viewers globally, but more than that, I’m thankful that with our YDA nomination, it will shine a spotlight on Hope Guardians, an NGO which really has the power to make tangible change in people’s lives”.
“As filmmakers, we have the opportunity to create visibility around issues, and to get viewers to understand and sympathise with an experience that they otherwise might not have had access to. If we can get someone to see themselves or someone they know on screen, in our character – if we can get them to question, self-assess and challenge their assumptions around mental illness and what it “looks like” – then we’ve done our jobs”
Hope Guardian’s founder, Ben Tuttle, who launched his not-for-profit Hope Guardians this month, said Voicenote being shortlisted for the Young Director’s award was “really great news” and would help the NPO in its work to banish the stigma around mental health.
“Our broader vision is to collaborate with other mental health providers, to amplify the message and create a ‘movement’ which will help us with our ambitious goal of offering thousands of young people free weekly 1-to-1 therapy, in their own language and cultural context. Well done to Tayla and her team,” Tuttle said.
Visit www.HOPEguardians.com to see the video and learn more about the NPO. Hope Guardians offers young people free, 1-1 online therapy, once a week. Sessions are conducted in your language, with professionals. Don’t suffer in silence – please reach out if you are suffering with your mental health.
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