THE BLUE CAR

"THE BLUE CAR" TRAILER

SOCIAL MEDIA

CREATOR HENRIK A. MEYER'S THOUGHTS

The idea behind "The Blue Car" is to express and depict the emotional, mental and physical difficulties endured by those facing a drought in the third world. In a life of struggle and limited means, how would an nine year old boy handle the responsibility of caring for his sick mother, with no one left to care for him? 

In the Western world we take for granted that we have food, water, medicine, education, and leisure in abundance, while families like the one in this film feel lucky to have enough just to survive the day. 

In my travels around the world, I have personally seen these tragic circumstances. While working for the Danish magazine "Bornefonden," which sponsors children, I visited families who were getting by month to month on money from their sponsors, but I also witnessed many more who did not have such a luxury. There were so many more children who needed help--something I hope this film can further illuminate. 

STORY INSPIRATION

Between July 2011 and mid-2012, a severe drought affected the entire East African region. Said to be "the worst in 60 years," the drought caused a severe food crisis across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatened the livelihood of 9.5 million people. Many refugees from Southern Somalia fled to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia, where crowded, unsanitary conditions, coupled with severe malnutrition, led to a large number of deaths. Other countries in East Africa including Sudan, South Sudan and parts of Uganda were also affected by the food crisis.

DIRECTOR

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. This passion has led him to a long career as a cinematographer, and both this wealth of experience and a lifelong love of telling stories have set the foundation for his foray into the role of Director.

Henrik’s interest in directing stems from his deep appreciation for all pieces of the cinematic process—he thrives on being involved in every aspect of the final product, but more importantly, on collaborating with the many artists he works alongside on each of his projects. His many world travels (over 40 countries!) have influenced his open-minded perspective toward his work, and he believes the best process involves the input and creative vision from every member of the team. His diverse travels and deep interest in each person’s unique story are the signature inspirations behind Henrik’s films, which are often based on true events but intentionally depicted through a universal lens.

A Denmark native who spent 15 years in the Danish film industry, Henrik’s directorial journey was largely inspired by his colleagues Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Charlotte Sieling (Homeland, Lovecraft Country). A more recent and highly influential experience has been a series of screenwriting courses with John Warren (Young Screenwriters). He has had experience directing small commercial specs for brands like White Claw and Full Sail University, while also directing, writing, and producing his own short films, including The Blue Car (official selection of the Oxford and DC Shorts film festivals) and his newest work, Stay.

Role: Mother

Pronounced - Mah Mih Yah Bwafoh

MaameYaa Boafo was born in Pakistan and hails from Ghana, West Africa and currently lives in New York. Coming to the United States to obtain a double Bachelor degree in Journalism and French at Hood College, Ms. Boafo was then awarded the Levin Scholarship from Rutgers University where she received her MFA in Acting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts.  She has since gone on to play roles such as Ophelia in Hamlet, the Courtesan in Comedy of Errors and made her off-Broadway debut as Walter Mosley's leading lady in his play LIFT.

Since making her on-screen acting debut in 2012, in the award winning indie film Asa as the title role, MaameYaa has gone on to star in other indies and short films ( Bus Nut. Directed by Akosua Adoma Owusu as well as TV: Madam Secretary, Blacklist & Mysteries of Laura to name a few. Ms. Boafo also leads the cast of An African City, the international hit web series that is "Africa's answer to Sex & the City" (CNN). Commercial appearances include Nickolodeon and Movicel starring Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes and Dove Chocolate among others.

MaameYaa will next be seen opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in Where is Kyra? and also in TheFamily Fang opposite Jason Bateman.

MaameYaa Boafo showreel: www.maameyaaboafo.com

EDITING CONSULTANT

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.

Lars Wissing IMDb link.

ANIMATION

Aleksandra Korejwo website: Acme Filmworks

Korejwo's style of animation is a unique technique of colored salt manipulation with the use of a Condor feather. She gets her inspiration from poetry, music and nature.

Films made by Aleksandra Korejwo have been shown and awarded prizes all over the world. The film entitled "The Swan" has been awarded the Grand Prix at the International Film Festival in Shanghai, the title sequence of a feature film "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" for Walt Disney Pictures was nominated to the prestigios Annie Awards in Los Angeles. She received First Place Award for the film "Carmen Torero" at The World Animation Celebration in Los Angeles, Award of Exellence for the Film "Butterfly" (United Airlines 2009). The film entitled Fryderyk Chopin's WALTZ was screened in The Best of The World at the International Animation Festival, Hiroshima 2010.

In 2011 she finished the Film entitled "Jubilee Concerto" to the Fryderyk Chopin’s music and to the Saint John Paul II's poetry.

Aleksandra Korejwo's films received a total of approximately 50 awards, distinction and nominations at domestic and international festivals.

Her films made to classical music are especially valued by audiences.

COMPOSER

A native of Iceland, Andi began as a classical violinist attending both The Peabody School, and Mannes. She studied songwriting at Hampshire College, and completed her audio-engineering studies at The School of Audio Engineering in NYC where she studied under James Cruz, Paul Falcone, John Siket, and Chloe Raynes. 

Andi has lived in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Japan, and several US States. She has fostered lion cubs, trained owls, built schools, and volunteered at orphanages.

Her films have played at BAM, TriBeCa Cinemas, LA Cinefest, Palm Beach International Film Festival, The New York Independent Film Festival, New Film-Makers New York, LAIFF, LASFF (Winner: Best Drama), the AMC in Times Square, ICP Fest (Winner: Best Comedy), Williamsburg Independent Film Festival, Chicago Irish Film Festival, and Lincoln Center's: Dance on Camera, as well as many other festivals nationally and internationally. She also freelances with various Creative Agencies around the world.

Andi Kristins website.

IMAGES FROM THE BLUE CAR