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A Poignant Animated Journey Through Loss and Resilience

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"In Limbo," the latest animated film created for the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), takes viewers on an emotional journey through the heartache of enforced disappearances in the North Caucasus.

Directed by Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North of Afterman, and produced by Marilena Vatseri at NOMINT, the film uses theatrical inspiration to create a haunting, yet hopeful portrayal of the families left in search of answers.

With a unique blend of minimalism, abstraction, and motion capture technology, "In Limbo" delivers a powerful narrative that embodies both the deep emotional trauma and the enduring resilience of those seeking justice.

What was the brief?

The film In Limbo was commissioned by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC), an independent human rights litigation centre based in London, UK. The aim was to create an animated film to highlight the devastating emotional toll of enforced disappearances on families.

Although some families have secured legal victories at international courts such as the European Court of Human Rights, the film emphasises that true closure remains out of reach for many. The brief was to create an emotional piece that would remind the international community that the fight for justice and accountability has a long way to go.

How did the initial pitch/brainstorming phase go?

Working on In Limbo was a very collaborative experience. From the initial pitch, there was a deep emotional connection to the project. The brainstorming phase was highly collaborative, with each team member contributing valuable ideas.

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This creative environment enabled us to rework the story several times and helped us create a narrative that communicated the emotional weight of the issue.

What was the process behind ideating the concept?

When EHRAC approached us, they had developed a script that was more linear and outline a straightforward narrative of a woman’s search for her disappeared loved one. While the story was always meant to be animated, we saw an opportunity to do something more suggestive and emotional. There’s a reason why animation is a better medium to communicate difficult ideas. Animation allows for abstraction, focusing on emotions rather than literal representations.

Inspired by theatre, particularly by Robert Wilson, we decided to approach the film as a 3D theatrical experience. The rotating stage became a metaphor for the endless, cyclical search that families have to endure. Through minimalist and abstract designs, we crafted a visual language that taps directly into the audience’s feelings, immersing them in the frustration, hope, and despair of the families.

What was the biggest challenge during production? How did you overcome it?

The most significant challenge was finding the balance between portraying the atrocity of enforced disappearances and highlighting the strength, love, and perseverance of the families fighting for justice.

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It was crucial to depict the deep emotional trauma without being overwhelming, while also showcasing the heroism of those who continue to demand accountability. This balance was achieved through collaboration with the team and a careful, thoughtful approach to storytelling.

What kit/tools/software were used to create the project?

The animation relied on our X-Sens motion capture suit, though many scenes were also keyed by hand. We used Maya for the 3D animation, Redshift for rendering, and AfterEffects for compositing.

What is one funny or notable thing that happened during production?

A notable aspect of this production was the dedication of the team. We had contributors spanning across four cities—London, Los Angeles, New York, and Athens. The collective energy and passion for the project were palpable throughout the process, and was a remarkable experience for everyone involved.

What’s the main message of this project and why does it matter?

In Limbo portrays the journey of a heroic woman who represents the countless families in the North Caucasus searching for their forcibly disappeared loved ones. Utilising theatrical elements, the film highlights the unnatural disruption caused by enforced disappearances and delves into the profound trauma these families live with.

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It emphasises their long battles with the domestic authorities as they seek answers. The film also underscores the vital role of community support in helping these families continue their fight for answers, and serves as a compelling call to action for justice and human rights.

How long did it take from inception to delivery?

A total of three months. Two months of pre-production (script, storyboarding, animatic, design), and an additional month to create and deliver the film in time for the 2024 International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance.

Can you describe the creative spark or inspiration behind the initial concept? Was there a specific moment or insight that ignited the idea?

Theatre was a key inspiration for the project. After witnessing the minimalist and evocative designs of a Robert Wilson play, we realised that this approach would allow us to focus on the emotional journey of the characters, stripping away unnecessary details to emphasise feelings of loss, frustration, and hope. We treated the film like a 3D theatrical experience.

How did you ensure that the concept aligned with the brand's values, goals, and target audience?

We worked closely with EHRAC throughout the project to ensure the concept aligned with their mission of addressing serious human rights abuses, particularly in the North Caucasus. Through research and collaboration with EHRAC, we gained a deeper understanding of the experiences of families affected by enforced disappearances, and helped ensure the story was both accurate and impactful.

The film focuses specifically on the people of Chechnya and we tried to be culturally specific with elements like clothing, decor, color palette, and even gestures, such as the way the husband and wife interact. These details, along with the time of day the crime takes place, helped make the narrative feel authentic.

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While the film is deeply rooted in the context of Chechnya, we ensured that its emotional core was broad enough to resonate with a global audience. By portraying the universal emotions of grief, loss, and hope, we were able to create a story that aligned with EHRAC's values and connected with viewers worldwide.

Were there any alternative concepts or ideas considered during the ideation phase? If so, what led to the selection of the final concept?

While the original brief followed a linear narrative, our team proposed a more abstract direction. With a tight schedule and a focus on amplifying the emotional impact, we believed that a distilled, minimalist approach would allow the film to highlight the protagonist's emotions and resilience, rather than the technical details of her struggle.

We used a limited primary colour palette to contrast the two worlds families are torn between. Minimalist compositions featuring starkly silhouetted characters and environments helped create an ominous atmosphere, reflecting the painful and exhausting journey. Instead of delving into the specifics of the protagonist's legal battle, we aimed to convey the resilience and resourcefulness required for her to be the hero she is.

Can you discuss any collaborative or interdisciplinary aspects of the ideation process, such as working with other departments or external partners?

The ideation process was highly collaborative. We worked closely with the EHRAC team to ensure that the film was accurate while maintaining a strong emotional resonance. Beyond our internal team, we partnered with incredibly talented external collaborators who helped elevate the project.

Mophonics, the audio studio, played a crucial role in the film’s impact through their masterful music composition and sound design, creating an immersive atmosphere that complemented the visuals perfectly. Their ability to evoke emotion through music was essential in conveying the gravity of the story.

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Additionally, Irmena Chichikova, the voiceover talent, brought depth to the character and added an emotional layer to the protagonist’s journey that was essential to the film's story.

What role did consumer research or market analysis play in shaping the concept and its execution?

While we didn’t engage in formal market research, with the help and support of EHRAC, the team conducted extensive research into enforced disappearances, particularly in the North Caucasus. This research ensured that the film was grounded in real stories and lived experiences, making the portrayal of grief, resilience, and the pursuit of justice more authentic and relatable for both the families affected and a global audience.

Can you discuss any unique or unconventional production techniques or approaches used to bring the idea to life?

The theatrical approach itself was quite unconventional for an animated film. The decision to use a rotating stage as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of the families' search was a unique production technique that helped reinforce the emotional depth of the narrative.

How did you ensure that the concept remained innovative and stood out in a crowded marketplace?

The project began as an interdisciplinary collaboration, and from the outset, we knew we wanted to create something visually unique. The aesthetic language blends elements of architecture, stage design, and graphic design,to tell the story in a painterly and poetic way.

What do you hope it achieves for the brand?

We hope In Limbo brings much-needed attention to the issue of enforced disappearances and galvanizes support for the affected families. The film is a call to action for justice and accountability and serves as a poignant reminder to the international community that these families’ fights are far from over.

By sharing these stories, we hope to help to inspire viewers to raise awareness and advocate for human rights in the North Caucasus and beyond.
 

Credit list for the work?

CLIENT: European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC)

AGENCY: NOMINT

CAMPAIGN: “In Limbo”

PRODUCTION: NOMINT

DIRECTOR: Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North (Afterman)

CREATIVE DIRECTION: Yannis Konstantinidis, Christos Lefakis

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Marilena Vatseri

ANIMATION PRODUCTION: Afterman

Additional Animation: Ron Friedman, Fernando Ferreyra, Liza Kurenkov, Clyde Cabanban, Nicole Newitt, Ashley Chung, Tiffany Lui

ORIGINAL MUSIC, SOUND EFFECTS / FINAL MIX: Mophonics

ECD / Partner: Stephan Altman

Producer: Christina Mihaljevic

Composer / Final Mix: Stephan Altman

Sound Designer: Jeffrey J Byron

Creative Producer / Partner: Kristoffer Roggemann

VO: Irmena Chichikova

Voice Over Recording Engineer: Dimo Mezekliev

COLOUR GRADING: Kim Stevenson

CLIENT’s CREDITS:

ORIGINAL CONCEPT: Mariat Imaeva

ORIGINAL SCRIPT: Stephen Matthews

ADDITIONAL WRITING: Elba Bendo, Charlotta Blomqvist and Mariat Imaeva

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Elba Bendo, Mariat Imaeva and Stephen Matthews

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