Editor Andrew Holmes Teams Up with Director Leve Kühl on powerful UN film “Through My Eyes”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has released a powerful global brand film “Through My Eyes” that tells an emotional story of resilience, displacement, and hope in the face of adversity.
The film is the product of a creative collaboration between German filmmaker Leve Kühl and Heckler editor Andrew Holmes, whose journey together exemplifies the transformative power of storytelling and partnership.
Their creative journey began when Leve reached out to Andrew via Instagram seeking help to edit his film, High Life. What followed was a creative partnership that saw the project win global awards and set the stage for this latest achievement with the UNHCR.
Andrew says: “Leve’s raw talent and his passion for meaningful storytelling were evident from the very beginning. To have been a part of his journey from a budding filmmaker to working on a project of this magnitude is incredibly rewarding.”
The film, spearheaded by the UNHCR and brought to life with creative input from Andrew’s longtime colleague, Dave Ohana – now a leading figure at the UN – highlights the ripple effects of creative collaboration. When Andrew reached out to Ohana, who had recently taken on a key role at the UN, it cemented the project’s scope and impact.
At its heart, the film follows Amira, a refugee whose journey from loss to survival offers a powerful blend of heartbreak and hope. Amid ongoing conflicts and growing societal divisions, her story is a poignant reminder of our shared humanity, and the resilience needed to endure unimaginable challenges.
Andrew says: “We set out to tell refugee Amira’s story with honesty, raw emotion, and depth. We wanted to offer audiences something truly unique — an authentic, immersive experience that brought real-world stories to life in a visually stunning and emotionally powerful way. Achieving that balance between grit and beauty was truly a highlight of the process.”
From a creative standpoint, Andrew was drawn to the opportunity of telling a story with emotional depth and global relevance.
He explains: “As an editor, I’m always searching for projects that challenge me, both technically and narratively, and I’m grateful this campaign provided that. Amira’s story was deeply moving, so from the outset having the chance to craft a film that seamlessly combined cinematic visuals with raw, authentic emotion was so rewarding.”
The film “Through My Eyes” was brought to life with the combined efforts of UPPERFAST as the main production company. It was further supported by The Sweetspot, 27km, and Heckler, showcasing a collaborative dedication to this vital cause.
For more information about “Through My Eyes,” visit the UNHCR Campaign Website at http://unhcr.org/hope
Client: UNHCR
Chief of Global Campaigns and Brand: Dailo Alli
Digital Strategy and Planning Officer – Madelene Bernard
Senior External Relations Officer – Sarah Epstein
Social Media Producer – Shardae Yilma
Production: UPPERFAST
Director: Leve Kühl
Director of Photography: Jona Riese
Executive Producers: Jacob Burckhardt, Niklas Straub, Julian Sünram
Supported by: The Sweetspot, 27km
Editor: Andrew Holmes