Refugees rock to "A heavy Abacus"

FilmAid presents an inspirational music video, based on the hit single 'A Heavy Abacus' by indie rock band The Joy Formidable, and directed by award-winning filmmakers Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes.

Paola and Topaz spent a month volunteering as Visiting Teaching Artists for FilmAid in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. While in Kakuma, they were inspired by the strength of the people they met and decided to make a video starring young Sudanese refugees. Paola and Topaz - in collaboration with the community - shot this gorgeous video in just three days, using one camera, two light reflectors, and an iPhone.

Credits
'A Heavy Abacus' by the Joy Formidable

Directed by Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes

Cinematography by Topaz Adizes
Edited by Topaz Adizes & Jeremiah Zagar
2nd Unit Director Rodrigues Kennedy
2nd Unit DP Dennis Munene
Assistant Director Moses Lujang
2nd Assistant director Marwan Sadik
Community Liaisons Manahil Hassan & Bakhita Achemi

Special Thanks: The Joy Formidable, Canvasback Music, EMI Music Publishing, The Juba Community, Kakuma Refugee Camp, UNHCR, Anthony Muteru, John Wandera, Andrew Otemba, Dennis Munene, Victor Ombonya, Paul Kuchal, John Tutlow, Stella Suge and Liz Manne.

© 2012 FilmAid. All rights reserved.

---

'A Heavy Abacus'
- song lyrics

Here we are bending feet
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark

Happiness it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse and the cost
Of nonchalance

Thank you sly watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far you've realised nothing

Now your world is here
Watch it disappear

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

All we have is this chance called memory
---
"A Heavy Abacus" as written by Rhiannon Bryan, Rhydian Davies
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

FilmAid presents an inspirational music video, based on the hit single 'A Heavy Abacus' by indie rock band The Joy Formidable, and directed by award-winning filmmakers Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes.

Paola and Topaz spent a month volunteering as Visiting Teaching Artists for FilmAid in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. While in Kakuma, they were inspired by the strength of the people they met and decided to make a video starring young Sudanese refugees. Paola and Topaz - in collaboration with the community - shot this gorgeous video in just three days, using one camera, two light reflectors, and an iPhone.

Credits
'A Heavy Abacus' by the Joy Formidable

Directed by Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes

Cinematography by Topaz Adizes
Edited by Topaz Adizes & Jeremiah Zagar
2nd Unit Director Rodrigues Kennedy
2nd Unit DP Dennis Munene
Assistant Director Moses Lujang
2nd Assistant director Marwan Sadik
Community Liaisons Manahil Hassan & Bakhita Achemi

Special Thanks: The Joy Formidable, Canvasback Music, EMI Music Publishing, The Juba Community, Kakuma Refugee Camp, UNHCR, Anthony Muteru, John Wandera, Andrew Otemba, Dennis Munene, Victor Ombonya, Paul Kuchal, John Tutlow, Stella Suge and Liz Manne.

© 2012 FilmAid. All rights reserved.

---

'A Heavy Abacus'
- song lyrics

Here we are bending feet
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark

Happiness it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse and the cost
Of nonchalance

Thank you sly watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far you've realised nothing

Now your world is here
Watch it disappear

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

All we have is this chance called memory
---
"A Heavy Abacus" as written by Rhiannon Bryan, Rhydian Davies
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing FilmAid presents an inspirational music video, based on the hit single 'A Heavy Abacus' by indie rock band The Joy Formidable, and directed by award-winning filmmakers Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes.

Paola and Topaz spent a month volunteering as Visiting Teaching Artists for FilmAid in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya. While in Kakuma, they were inspired by the strength of the people they met and decided to make a video starring young Sudanese refugees. Paola and Topaz - in collaboration with the community - shot this gorgeous video in just three days, using one camera, two light reflectors, and an iPhone.

Credits
'A Heavy Abacus' by the Joy Formidable

Directed by Paola Mendoza and Topaz Adizes

Cinematography by Topaz Adizes
Edited by Topaz Adizes & Jeremiah Zagar
2nd Unit Director Rodrigues Kennedy
2nd Unit DP Dennis Munene
Assistant Director Moses Lujang
2nd Assistant director Marwan Sadik
Community Liaisons Manahil Hassan & Bakhita Achemi

Special Thanks: The Joy Formidable, Canvasback Music, EMI Music Publishing, The Juba Community, Kakuma Refugee Camp, UNHCR, Anthony Muteru, John Wandera, Andrew Otemba, Dennis Munene, Victor Ombonya, Paul Kuchal, John Tutlow, Stella Suge and Liz Manne.

© 2012 FilmAid. All rights reserved.

---

'A Heavy Abacus'
- song lyrics

Here we are bending feet
In the dark before dreamless sleep
Cloaks that spot, that shiver, that breeze
Throws you in the dark

Happiness it won't last long
And this child behind stores it all
The failed man's curse and the cost
Of nonchalance

Thank you sly watchful gene
A plastic life up my sleeve
If you've followed this far you've realised nothing

Now your world is here
Watch it disappear

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

And it all plays out
And it always comes around
The message fades but the mess prevails
You reckless thing leaving you in our hands

Abacus haunting me
Abacus watching me

All we have is this chance called memory
---
"A Heavy Abacus" as written by Rhiannon Bryan, Rhydian Davies
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing ( less )