Liana / Liyana
Direction: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Script/Script: Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp
Country of Production/Country: Swaziland, USA, Qatar/ Swaziland, USA, Qatar
Duration/Duration: 77'
Production Year/Year: 2018
Language/Language: English, Swazi/ English, Swazi
Subtitles/Subtitles: Greek / English
Synopsis:
A swaziland girl sets off on a dangerous mission to rescue her little twin brothers. This African animated tale is born in the imagination of five orphaned children from Swaziland, who work together to tell a story of survival taken from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. The journey of their fictional protagonist is intertwined with poetic and penetrating documentary scenes, creating a unique in its kind celebration of collective narration.
A girl from Swaziland sets off on a dangerous mission to rescue her little twin brothers. This African cartoon tale is born into the imagination of five Swaziland orphans working together to tell a story of survival stemming from their darkest memories and brightest dreams. Their fantastic protagonist's journey is intertwined with poetic and penetrating documentary scenes, creating a unique collective narrative celebration.
Director's Biography/Director's Short Bio:
Aaron Kopp is an award-winning director and Emmy award-nominated director of photography who grew up in Swaziland. She directed photography and co-produced the Oscar-winning documentary about the acid attacks on women in Pakistan, Saving Face. He also took the photo for the Sundance audience award-winning and Oscar-nominated film The Hunting Ground, which refers to sexual assaults in universities. He has worked in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, North America and the South Pacific in films for HBO, Netflix Originals, National Geographic, Discovery, UK Channel4, CBS, CNN and PBS.
Aaron Kopp is an award-winning director and Emmy Award-winning director of photography who grew up in Swaziland. He has been a director of photography and co-produced the Oscar-winning documentary on acid attacks on women in Pakistan, Saving Face. He was the director of photograpgy for the Sundance Award-winning audience and an Oscar nominee film The Hunting Ground, which refers to sexual assaults at universities. He has worked in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, North America and the South Pacific on films for HBO, Netflix Originals, National Geographic, Discovery, UK Channel4, CBS, CNN and PBS.
Amanda Kopp is an award-winning photographer and artist. He was a producer and photographer for the short film Likhaya, which was awarded the Palme d'Or, as well as audience awards and best documentary at international festivals. He also filmed The Hunting Ground, which premiered at the Sundance IFF. Her photographic work has been published in England, the USA, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Pakistan and Italy. Her photographs won the grand prize of the Photo District News Top Knots photo contest.
Amanda Kopp is an award-winning photographer and artist. She was the producer and photographer for the short film Likhaya, which was awarded a Golden Palm, as well as audience awards and best documentaries at international festivals. She also directed the film The Hunting Ground, which premiered at the Sundance festival. Her photographic work has been published in England, USA, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Pakistan and Italy. Her photos won the Photo District News Top Knots grand prize.
