PRETTYBIRD filmmaker Jess Kohl has directed a series of short films commissioned by Unilever to celebrate the stories of real-life members of the LGBTQI+ community in the U.K. The shorts from agency RanaVerse are part of Unilever’s “United We Stand” campaign in the U.K. For the fourth consecutive year, Unilever is teaming with Superdrug to continue supporting Switchboard LGBTQ+ helpline to provide a safe space for the community to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being, via the phone, by email and through Instant Messaging. This year’s partnership will specifically provide resources to help improve Switchboard LGBTQ+’s education and training programs for its 200+ volunteers.
The stories told in the shorts share insights into the lives of individuals or couples from the LGBTQI+ community in the U.K. and are linked to a different Unilever brand ranging from Close-up to Lynx to Vaseline and Simple.
This short from Simple introduces us to Millie, a Lesbian who proudly champions her identity. Living in the same flat in Pimlico her whole life, she has always been loved for who she is, by her family, her girlfriend, and in the local community. She has been visiting her local barbers for the last 10 years, where she is well known for being a loving, kind, sensitive and inspirational individual. Millie strives to get to know everyone and spread love in her neighborhood. The short is titled "Millie."
Kohl said, “As a filmmaker I like to show life and also learn more from life. What interested me in collaborating with Unilever and Superdrug was their commitment to shining a light on diverse individuals from the community across the U.K. In this campaign we wanted to celebrate the intersections that push and grow LGBTQ+ culture and how we are perceived/represented. The four films we have made cannot capture all the richness of UK queer culture but it’s a start at showing some of it.”
