Behind the Mask
During the Coronavirus pandemic Dr Paul Trotman was put off work because he is immune compromised. In March 2020 frustrated and looking for some way to contribute, he started documenting the experiences of his colleagues around the world. He has since completed almost 150 interviews. Paul was the only person to be interviewing healthcare workers so early in the piece - when events are new and raw and emotions were high. Because they were talking to a colleague who knew their language, Paul’s subjects were incredibly open about their harrowing experiences and this remarkable film is the result. It's a powerful argument for our healthcare workers, Covid restrictions, mask wearing and vaccination.
"Compelling"
“So moving and almost like a horror film in how captivated… [I was]”
“I watched it transfixed last night.”
“Gave me goosebumps.”
“Amazing film”
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Paul TrotmanDirector
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Paul TrotmanProducer
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Clive CopemanProducer
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Project Type:Documentary, Feature
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Runtime:1 hour 29 minutes 30 seconds
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Completion Date:September 30, 2021
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Production Budget:75,000 NZD
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Country of Origin:New Zealand
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Paul is a doctor, writer and film maker, although not necessarily in that order. Over the years he has developed, produced, researched or presented over 40 hours of television that have been broadcast around the world including Discovery, BBC4, Channel 4 (UK), Discovery Health, TVNZ, TV3, National Geographic. He has won an Atom Award (Australia) and Best Director Documentary Edge (NZ) for Donated to Science. And a Bronze medal at the New York Film Festival for The Curse of the Elephant Man.
I made this film because I didn't want the efforts and sacrifices of my colleagues around the world to be forgotten. Oh, and it gave me something to do in various quarantines and lockdowns here and in Australia.when I couldn't work during lockdown.