Hidden (Gömd)
Sweden, 2002
Directors: Hanna Heilborn, David Aronowitsch and Mats Johansson
Language: Swedish
Colour: Colour
Runtime: 8 minutes
Short Synopsis
In Hidden, 12-year-old Peruvian Giancarlo, currently living in Sweden as an illegal refugee, tells his story of persecution and paranoia.
Long synopsis
Giancarlo, a 12-year-old boy from Peru, tells his story of living as a refugee hiding from the authorities in Sweden. He recounts his arrival in the country, and his memories of his parents' efforts to save up for his ticket. He fears deportation and finds it lonely because he is scared to make friends, fearing that their parents might be members of the police force.
As Giancarlo remembers his year alone in Peru, animation and live-action are juxtaposed to create an impression of his young life. At eight, he had to give up school and work polishing shoes in the streets of Lima. He had good friends who knew the hiding places of the city well. He describes how children of six and seven were caught by the police and taken to an orphanage, never collected by their parents because the orphanage offered better opportunities than the street.
At the end of the interview, Giancarlo explains 'it is very hard to talk about it because you tell many people and they do nothing.' Shortly after the interview he attempted suicide. The family have since been allowed to stay, and the final shot is of him playing football with friends.
Background information
About the film
The directors of Hidden were working on a radio documentary when they met Giancarlo and decided to make his interview into a film. Because of his clear voice, and the fact that the family's identity had to remain hidden, the filmmakers came up with the idea to using animation overlaid with his (and occasionally the interviewer's) voice. Mats Johansson designed the characters (including those of his fellow filmmakers who are conducting the interview). By using documentary sound together with animation, the directors could explore new methods of representation. The use of animation also opens up the field of documentary to people who don't usually watch it, making it accessible to Giancarlo's contemporaries.
About the film-makers
Hanna Heilborn also writes film scripts, works on the radio and directs for television. Daniel Aronowitsch edits IKON, a television programme that screens short documentaries on Swedish National Television. They co-own a production company, Story AB. Mats Johansson is co- founder and co-owner of the media collective Acne - a collection of companies in film, fashion and advertising.
Teaching materials and additional materials
The teaching materials have been developed by practising teachers to provide a springboard for your own work with your pupils. Feel free to use and adapt them appropriate to your pupils' needs.
The additional materials, provided by the film-makers, can be used to develop your work with the film and deepen pupils' understanding of the process of film-making.
