Bicoastal Park Pictures director Lance Acord recreates a historic moment at the infamous Robben Island Prison Camp in a new :30/:45 “Robben Island,” for ESPN and FIFA World Cup out of Wieden + Kennedy, Worldwide. With affecting imagery and score, the spot focuses on the formation of a soccer league by South African political prisoners during apartheid.

“Robben Island” opens on a sleeping prisoner. A hypnotic score then begins, accompanied by images of the prison grounds, guards and several prisoners preparing for soccer. A voiceover states, “A defining moment in South Africa’s history wasn’t an uprising or a coup, it was the formation of a soccer league by political prisoners during apartheid. Prisoners who’d lost their freedom, but found hope in a game they loved.” We see a prison guard throw a ball out for the inmate team and a passionate game ensue. Several prisoners watch, including a man resembling Nelson Mandela. The voiceover continues alongside U2’s epic track ‘Where the Streets Have No Name,’ “The same men who’d go on to govern the new South Africa, and then repay the game by inviting the world to come and play it with them. The 2010 FIFA World Cup on ESPN.” The ESPN and FIFA logos and tag, “One game changes everything” close out the spot.

About Park Pictures

Founded in 1998 by Executive Producer Jacqueline Kelman Bisbee and renowned filmmaker/cinematographer Lance Acord, Park Pictures has an auspicious track record for discovering new filmmaking talent and mentoring directors to reach their highest potential. Infusing all projects with big screen production values, Park Pictures recently produced an Academy Award®-winning short film.

The company’s feature film roots are evident in all of its work, thanks in part to the expertise of director/filmmakers Acord (cinematographer, Oscar®-winning Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, Where the Wild Things Are), Joachim Back (director, Park Pictures’ 2010 Academy Award® winner The New Tenants), Joaquin Baca-Asay (cinematographer, Roger Dodger, We Own the Night), director/DP Ellen Kuras (director, Oscar®-nominated The Betrayal; cinematographer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Bamboozled, Away We Go) and Alison Maclean (director, The Tudors, Jesus’ Son, Crush.). Additional talents on the roster include 300ml, The Glue Society, Lisa Rubisch, Chris Sargent, Jake Schreier, and Benzo Theodore.

Park Pictures forges strong partnerships with agencies and clients by engaging all members of its team in creative problem solving. Embracing new formats, longer form filmmaking and integrated projects, the company continues to gain momentum in the changing advertising arena. A reciprocal relationship with Academy Films in London strengthens Park Pictures’ international presence. The Playground, a recreational section of the company’s website, hosts innovative creative work outside of conventional TV broadcast.

Credits:
Client: ESPN
Product/Event: 2010 FIFA World Cup
Title: “Robben Island” :30/:45
Airdate: Currently airing
Where shot: Robben Island, South Africa
Production Company: Park Pictures, Bicoastal
Director/DP: Lance Acord
Executive Producer/Owner: Jackie Kelman Bisbee
Producers: Dinah Rodriguez, Caroline Kousidonis
Supervising Producer: Mary Ann Marino
Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Worldwide
Agency Producer: Nick Setounski

CD: Stuart Jennings

Copywriter: Nick Sonderup

Production Services Company: Film Planet, Worldwide

Film Planet EP: Karin Stuckenschmidt

Line Producer: Florencia Ciampi

Production Manager: Guillermo Rosic

Producer Coordinator: Victoria Murphy

Editorial Company: The Whitehouse, Bicoastal/Chicago/London
Editors: Russell Icke, Mark Langley
Asst. Editor: Ethan Mitchell
Editorial Producer: Melanie Klein
VFX Company: Carbon VFX, New York, NY

CD/Flame: Kieran Walsh

VFX Executive Producer: Frank Devlin

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