Making of Nos Vemos Pronto
As the narrative backbone of the film, Johana and I spent many hours discussing her poems and life story.
Team
Along the journey of making this film, various people helped to carry this project forward and reach a place that could never be achieved alone. One of those critical people was Alice Chapman, British filmmaker and journalist, who was often at my side behind the camera while shooting scenes for Nos Vemos Pronto.
To be a traveler
In this outtake during an interview that never made it into the final cut, Johana describes how she prefers to see herself as a traveler rather than an immigrant. Filled with tears, Johana's sentiment calls attention to what it really means to have the choice to travel freely and how our own perspectives can change how we walk in the world.
Camera Approach
Nos Vemos Pronto was shot almost entirely handheld on the Panasonic GH5. Due to the subject matter and amount of travel, larger and more cumbersome cameras would not have been an option for security and logistical concerns. The small form factor allowed production to enter spaces without drawing too much attention and capture more intimate, on the fly moments whilst on buses, taxis and exploring on foot. The handheld element lended itself to a more raw, energetic and organic style of camera movement, mirroring much of the action passing in front of the lens. Wider focal lengths of 24mm and 35mm were relied on to bring viewers into the diverse environments and landscapes.
Collaboration with NGO TodosSomos
The final words of Nos Vemos Pronto call upon a large record of journal entries, testimonies and stories left by Venezuelan caminantes (walkers) contributed by Colombian-based NGO TodosSomos. The words and narratives of those passing through Norte de Santander can be found at the end of the documentary, read by Johanna to close the film.
TodosSomos is lead by Douglas Lyon with the help of American and Venezuelan volunteers on the ground in Colombia at the border. They work in various shelters along the frequented route of Venezuelan refugees between Cúcuta to Bucaramanga, collecting and archiving their thoughts, emotions and journeys through the written word. Their work has spanned over the course of 3 years and has been a part of monthly UN community reports regarding the crisis.
Volunteer team in Pamplona, Colombia.
Paper airplanes never failed as a momentary distraction in the shelter in Pamplona.
It's all worth it when we have moments that connect us on a deeper level,
knowing we understand each other a little more now.