WATCH: this emotive Irish video shows how important it is to #stayhome

An emotive new Irish video prompts viewers to stay safe, stay home, and all the while, reminds us of the importance of hope.

“In dreams we remember what was, we think about what is, we imagine what might be, what can be, what will be.”

Eva-Jane Gaffney speaks Sarah Coffey’s words in ‘The Phoenix’, a Covid-19-inspired video about love and loss, hope and strength. The production, from Dublin-based creative agency The Tenth Man, asks, “Do you think when this will all end, will we love more?”

Over a montage of Irish and international footage, professional and candid, the narrator looks back, grounds us in the present and asks to imagine the future, with reality-soaked optimism: “We’ll see entire nations come together to honour the bravery of those who showed up, day after day, night after night, to serve them.”

But first, “We will cry. Oh, we will cry.”

Sarah Coffey wrote the script after a conversation with her creative director Richard Seabrooke, “We wanted to create something raw and honest that came from the heart, so what you see in the video is my first response, which I wasn’t expecting!” 

Noting how tough social distancing is, particularly for such a social nation but also worldwide, Sarah says they wanted to hold a mirror up. “We wanted to show people that what they’re doing is making a huge difference, as well as reminding us of the reasons we’re doing it – for those we love and for the good of everyone.”

Although the voice over was recorded remotely, Sarah says she knew Eva-Jane Gaffney would do an incredible job, even in the difficult production circumstances. “We chose her for her ability to convey emotion and bring scripts to their full potential with her incredible talent. She’s also amazing to work with and delivered a stunning piece of work, all recorded remotely and we couldn’t be happier.”

Featuring dozens of videos and images from all sorts of sources, the collation process took the 18-person agency two days, and while Ian Downes was in the editing suite, Derek Doyle worked on the visuals and Richard Seabrooke commissioned a mural in Smithfield, created by Mack Signs. 

Sarah would like to thank everyone whose footage features for sharing their reality every day. “And thanks to everyone that has commented, shared and liked. When you see it all together, you see the hope, joy, heartbreak and resilience of us all. Thank you and keep sharing!” 

The Phoenix from The Tenth Man, #WeRiseTogether  #Covid19

Feature image: Still from The Phoenix

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