Throughout this challenging, sad and unusual time, we are being forced to face some truths we constantly try to avoid
Pandemic is the new documentary by directors Pedro de la Fuente and James Worsley. Made in April, during the most severe lockdown period. The film arose out of necessity they felt to try and understand what people were going through around the world. How was everyone adapting to this new reality, their fears, experiences? How was everyone being affected by the disease, their hopes and expectations for the future?
Pedro and James have filmed in countless countries. In the process made friends in the four corners of the planet.
Throughout this challenging, sad and unusual time, we are being forced to face some truths we constantly try to avoid. Death, purpose and responsibility were some of the things going through the minds of the friends that we spoke with around the world.
During April we recorded these conversations, and while being on opposite sides of the world, we created this film using unused shots and personal footage. We confronted many of our own fears and although there isn’t a definitive answer, there were some thoughts that stayed with us.
This film won’t reveal anything new, but it might bring some comfort and ideas. Perhaps uniting us in what it means to be human during these uncertain times.
– Pedro and James
A Voice to their Anxieties
The film’s central theme was this juxtaposition of culturally distinct individuals. Giving voice to their anxieties, losses, fears and joys. In addition to all this, trying to seek hope in these ordinary people. Who like all of us on the planet are experiencing an incredibly impactful moment, which will remain a milestone in the history of mankind.
Among the interviewees, Pedro and James spoke to frontline doctors in Brazil and the world, patients affected by the covid 19, journalists from different backgrounds. People who lost family members to the virus, and individuals who saw the pandemic happening from inside their homes.
The interviewees narrated their experiences from different cities in the world. Such as: Tokyo, Jakarta, Cairo, Milan, Venice, Barcelona, London, Dublin, Stuttgart, São Paulo, Natal, Manacapuru, Sydney, Buenos Aires, New York, Los Angeles, Savannah and Mexico.
Pandemic won’t reveal anything new, but it might bring some comfort and ideas, perhaps uniting us in what it means to be human during these uncertain times
This personal and profound material was then covered by unused scenes the pair amalgamated in their career. Bringing a beautiful aesthetic and illustrating the situation the world is facing. Narrating with poignancy this powerful documentary.
Much more than a film in search of answers, Pandemic opens a door to the mundane, to pure emotions and to the future. Not only looking for solutions in the outside world, it also invites us to look inside ourselves.
With photography by Pedro de la Fuente, James Worslery, Azul Serra, Malte Rosenfeld, Lumisu Pasolang. Original soundtrack composed by Russ Chimes at Uno Mas studio. Sound design and mix by Thacio Palanca at Lucha Libre studio. And colour by Alex Gregory at The Mill. The film brings together a top international team to tell part of what is becoming one of the great events of this generation.
