Academy Award winner Jonathan Glazer’s new short film ‘Joy of Joys’ – filmed during the creation of War Child Record’s Mercury Prize Shortlisted album HELP(2) – will be receiving its UK Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in October.
Filmed over three days at Abbey Road Studios, the short documentary film documents the creation of HELP(2) with footage of children living in warzones in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen. Released six months ago today to widespread critical acclaim, the album has already raised over £1 million to support War Child UK’s work providing specialist mental health services, education, protection and practical support to enable brighter futures for children whose lives have been devastated by war.
The concept, from Mica Levi and Glazer, was simple: “By Children, For Children.” Cameras went straight into the hands of children, allowing the world to be seen through their eyes and serving as a constant reminder as to why the audience and everyone involved in the recording was there. Over 200 participants from London,
Yemen, Sudan and Gaza – including 80 children – made the short film together, capturing a universal sense of innocence and the joy of childhood.
Last month, ‘Joy of Joys’ was selected for the New York Film Festival later this month, where it will receive its world premiere as part of the Spotlight section.
‘Joy of Joys’ is an Academy Films Production, devised by Mica Levi and Jonathan Glazer and produced by Medb Riordan and Steve Overs, with executive producers Simon Cooper, Scott Wright, James Wilson, Emma Greengrass, Ian McAndrew and Rich Clarke.
“Jonathan Glazer and the Academy team have brought the spirit of HELP(2) to life in this incredibly moving short film, with children at the centre of the project. To have this film’s UK premiere at BFI London Film Festival and to have already raised £1 million is both an extraordinary achievement, and a testament to what can happen when communities across music and creative industries come together behind a shared cause. Right now, 1 in 5 children around the world are affected by conflict. That’s 520 million children who are in desperate need of protection, education, and specialist mental health support. All the money raised from the album will help War Child provide this aid. We couldn’t be more grateful to the teams that created the album and this film to highlight the experiences of the children we work with, and to everyone who has bought or streamed the album in support of our mission to create brighter futures for children impacted by war.” – Rich Clarke, Exec Head of Music at War Child UK.
In line with the news, Black Country, New Road’s single ‘Strangers’ – taken from the HELP(2) album – has been revealed as the next focus track. The band will perform a special show at the London Coliseum with André de Ridder and the Orchestra of English National Opera, before heading out on tour across the US and China – more dates HERE.
“We are very proud to have been asked to take part in such a brilliant project. War Child raise money for an extremely vital cause and we are grateful to be able to contribute and help. We had fun making a new song and playing it at Abbey Road in the studio. Lots of our favourite musicians are also on this project.” – Black Country, New Road
The album united an incredible roster of contributors including Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys, Arlo Parks, Arooj Aftab, Bat For Lashes, Beabadoobee, Beck, Beth Gibbons, Big Thief, Black Country, New Road, Cameron Winter, Damon Albarn, Depeche Mode, Dove Ellis, Ellie Rowsell, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Foals, Fontaines D.C., Graham Coxon, Greentea Peng, Grian Chatten, Kae Tempest, King Krule, Nilüfer Yanya, Oasis, Olivia Rodrigo, Pulp, Sampha, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg and Young Fathers.
Listen to the full HELP(2) album HERE.
Watch footage from the Abbey Road Recordings HERE.
