AMADOU
Short film, Uplifting Drama
Synopsis:
After losing his wife and children in a senseless guerrilla attack, Amadou sets out to find the General responsible. Years later, he confronts General Mafuta and learns the true fate of his family. However, unbeknownst to Mafuta and Amadou, their story does not end there. Through miraculous forgiveness and patience, Amadou brings the monstrous Mafuta to the peace he never thought he deserved.
Director: Henrik A. Meyer
Screenwriters: Henrik A. Meyer and Adam Bertocci
Screenwriter consultant: Winn Coslick
Production Company: Henrik A. Meyer Productions
Running Time: 18 minutes Budget $35K
Year: 2019
Language: English Format: 2:34, 4K
REVIEWS
NOMINATIONS
CREATOR HENRIK A. MEYER'S THOUGHTS
The idea behind “AMADOU” is to show what could become of our world if we all start to forgive each other. Would we be able to make a better and more positive world to live in?
This story is based on a true event. This summer, I traveled around the world filming a narrative documentary about the joy of dancing. In Africa I met a man who told me the story of his friend forgiving a general who had brutally killed his family, so he could bring them home and bury them. In the process, miraculously, the general and the man became friends. Since hearing it, I have not been able to forget this story, and I feel it is a story the world needs to hear.
My personal experience is that seeking justice and revenge will only give you satisfaction for a moment, but living in the now and paying joy forward will keep you happy for a lifetime.
CINEMATIC LOOK
STYLE
The style of AMADOU is going to be warm and will cinematically feature Africa's natural beauty to help tell the story in an uplifting and inspirational way. Camera movements will be smooth and subtle to leave the focus on the actors telling this beautiful story.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
AMADOU - 27-32 (time jump), male, African. A simple farmer, he puts his family above all else.
GENERAL MAFUTA - 37, male, African. A soldier since childhood, his lifetime of violence has left him hardened and cruel.
LOLIE - 25, female, African. Amadou’s wife, and mother to Olive and Prisca. A sweet, loving homemaker.
PRISCA - 6, female, African. Amadou and Lolie’s oldest daughter.
OLIVE - 4, female, African. Amadou and Lolie’s younger daughter, Prisca’s little sister.
SUZY - Late 20s, female, African. Mafuta’s wife. A dutiful woman who does not love Mafuta, but is forced to respect him.
GALI - 5, female, African. Suzy and Mafuta’s younger daughter. Curious and playful, despite their home life.
EDNA - 7, female, African. Suzy and Mafuta’s oldest daughter. Quiet and responsible, like her mother.
DIRECTOR - SCREENWRITER - STORY
Henrik A. Meyer found himself drawn to the camera at the age of 10 when he first started taking pictures, which turned into a lifelong passion for photography. Mr. Meyer took his first cinematography course at age 21, and he loved it so much that he moved to the USA in 1996, where he worked at Panavision LA and completed further cinematography courses. In 2010, he graduated from film school in New York City and received a diploma in Cinematography.
Mr. Meyer has collaborated closely with some of the most talented, award-winning cinematographers and directors in Denmark. In over 15 years as a 1st AC, he has worked on three International Emmy® Award-winning series, including UNIT 1 and FORSVAR with acclaimed director Niels Arden Oplev (director of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Swedish version). His extensive experience as a 1st AC allowed him to learn many skills that he holds today as a director of photography.
At present, Mr. Meyer has been steadily adding to his body of work as a director. He directed his short film THE BLUE CAR (see link below), which was shown in the D.C. Shorts Festival, as well as the Oxford Film Festival. With three more films currently underway, he hopes to continue his storytelling journey in this new role in addition to his lifelong passion as a cinematographer.
Henrik A. Meyer's showreel: www.henrikameyer.com
SCREENWRITER
Adam Bertocci is a filmmaker, screenwriter, author, accidental playwright, tasteless humorist and apparent polymath.
His award-winning short films, produced under his own banner of Guy in his Basement Productions, are mainstays on the festival circuit, exploring a wide variety of genres and topics with unforgettable performances, insightfully observed emotions and perversely miniscule budgets.
He has also written short scripts for other filmmakers, most notably the Christmas comedy Wreck the Halls starring Mickey Rooney, as well as a collection of well-regarded spec features. Whatever the scale or the genre, his scripts are acclaimed for their sharp dialogue and their playful blurring of the line between fantasy and reality.
Bertocci became both a playwright and an author off the meteoric success of his viral hit Two Gentlemen of Lebowski, a pop culture mashup that landed him theatrical production offers the day it went online, a literary agent in a week and a sold-out theatrical run off-off-Broadway within three months; it remains arguably the fastest-selling show in New York independent theatre history. The text is now published by Simon & Schuster in a beautifully illustrated, fully annotated edition to both commercial success and acclaim from critics and fans alike.
His prolific output has been honored with a bevy of awards, honors, press attention and critical praise: click here for a complete list.
Bertocci is a proud graduate of the film program at Northwestern University, with a minor in English literature. He works in and around New York; when not pursuing his own projects, he is a Final Cut Pro editor, titles designer and occasional animator / effects artist for film and television.
SCREENWRITER CONSULTANT
Winn Coslick is a creative writer and producer who creates original content for distribution across theatrical, digital, and web platforms. Oversees the creative and financial aspects of projects while leading and managing diverse teams in fast-paced environments. Outstanding ability to tailor messages for specific audiences and to deliver creative elements while collaborating with executives, international brands, and renowned artists.
EDITOR
Lars Wissing is a Copenhagen based editor with more than 15 years of experience.
Lars has edited several feature films, as well as award winning short films - including the Academy Award winner Helium.
His work includes award winning television series The Killing and The Protectors.
He is currently editing the feature film I Kill Giants starring Madison Wolfe and Zoe Saldana.
THE BLUE CAR
A film by Henrik A. Meyer
Send me an email for password.
Directed, Produced, Cinematography and Set builder by Henrik A. Meyer.