Respect The Gift

Director : Justin Stephenson

Respect The Gift

Overview & Credits

FILM OVERVIEW

Adrian Sutherland, the Indigenous roots-rocker, has released his second solo single titled "Respect The Gift." This lively track carries a timely message urging listeners to give their all with lyrics such as "Rise up rise up, only one shot you gotta give it all you got..."

The accompanying music video, which features silhouette-style animation, is an impressive production that was executed with caution during the pandemic's second wave. It merges various art forms such as music, dance, live-action, and animation, with five exceptional dancers showcasing nearly a dozen different dance styles. Their individual performances were then edited together into a single sequence set against an ever-changing backdrop of 70's-inspired retro graphic designs. The result is an incredibly entertaining and "groovy" video that is sure to put a smile on your face.

Director Biography

Justin Stephenson is an award-winning filmmaker and moving image designer. His work includes directing, editing and animating Gord Downie’s Secret Path in Concert for the CBC, Distributed, a 360-degree video work commissioned by the Canadian Film Centre Media Lab, and the animated film for Gord Downie’s The Secret Path, also for the CBC.

Justin's awards include a 2020 Yorkton Film Festival award for Adrian Sutherland's music video Politician Man, 2019 Canadian Screen Award nominations for Gord Downie's Secret Path In Concert (Best Variety or Entertainment Special, and Best Direction, Variety or Sketch Comedy). Secret Path In Concert also won a Yorkton Film Festival award for Best Performing Arts film. His animated documentary on bpNichol, The Complete Works won Best Arts and Culture Doc and the Founders Award at The Yorkton Film festival. The animated film for The Secret Path received a Juno Nomination and the Donald Britton Award at the Canadian Screen Awards. In addition, Justin's commercial and broadcast design work has earned him numerous BDAs and Applied Arts Awards.

FILM CREDITS

RoseAnna Schick - Producer
Adrian Sutherland - Producer

Key Cast

Holly Plett
Jolie Lesperance
Kika Lacerda
Majo Barawid
Maribeth Tabanera

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