Experiencing Interruptions?

Here For You

This heartfelt composition was inspired by Samuel’s experience playing soccer with his team at the 2024 Gothia World Youth Cup in Göteborg, Sweden. Seeing young players from war-torn places like Ukraine and the Middle East march onto the soccer field filled him with a mix of admiration and sadness. Samuel realized many of these children would return home to unimaginable conditions, facing daily dangers.
"Here for You" begins with a peaceful melody, evoking the joy of playing soccer with friends. As the music intensifies, the rhythm reflects growing tension and fear, representing the harsh realities of conflict. The heartbeat-like percussion builds anxiety, culminating in explosive sounds symbolizing the devastation of war. Through this emotional journey, the voices of resilient youth rise, singing for peace, hope, and solidarity. Samuel, indie artist Emael, and New Democracy hope this song inspires listeners to take action and protect children’s rights worldwide.

Lyrics:

(Chorus x2)

We - are there for you as you
are here for us.
Let’s kick it!
Let’s kick that war back to hell
where it belongs!

(Verse 1 x2)

How can we live when you suffer like this?
How can we live when you’re facing this pain?

(Verse2 x2)

We’re fighting for a new democracy!
To set the kids free!
to set the kids free!

(Outro x2)

We - are there for you as you
are here for us.
Let’s kick it!
(To set the kids free! To set the kids free!)
Let’s kick that war back to hell
where it belongs!

  • Samuel Leo Götz Benardo
    Director
  • Gabrielle Gorman
    Director
  • Samuel Leo Götz Benardo
    Writer
  • Samuel Leo Götz Benardo
    Producer
  • Emmael Ventura-Creuss
    Producer
  • Samuel Leo Götz Benardo
    Key Cast
    "Violoncello, Soccer Player, Singer"
  • Ashinee Reynolds
    Key Cast
    "Soccer Player, Singer"
  • Queennak
    Key Cast
    "Singer"
  • Tyler Barton
    Key Cast
    "Soccer Player"
  • Gabrielle Gorman
    Key Cast
    "Soccer Player"
  • Kirsten
    Key Cast
    "Traverse Flute"
  • Project Type:
    Music Video
  • Genres:
    Anti-War, Childrens' Rights Advocacy, Fundraising, Peace through Music
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 17, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Harvard-Westlake
  • Jr. Peace and Music Ambassador 2024
    Devon, Pennsylvania
    United States
    November 28, 2024
    Harmony For Peace Foundation
    Special Juror Award
Director Biography - Samuel Leo Götz Benardo, Gabrielle Gorman

Samuel Leo Götz Benardo (Creative Director, Film and Music Producer):

Born in 2008, Samuel has been playing the cello since he was five years old. Alongside composing music, he has a deep love for soccer, playing with both his club and the Varsity team at Harvard Westlake High School in California. In 2022, he performed at Carnegie Hall in the Honors Performance Series as a cello finalist with a USA national student orchestra. In 2025, Samuel will perform with his HW high school chamber orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall as part of the Boston Instrumental Festival.
Samuel’s passion for music and advocacy come together in this work with his band, New Democracy, whose mission is to inspire action and raise awareness for children’s rights worldwide.

Gabrielle Gorman (Director):

Gabrielle Gorman is a writer, director and producer. She is a 2020 graduate of UCLA's School of Film and Television where she concentrated in screenwriting. She combines her love of digital storytelling, entrepreneurship, and social good to promote positive change. In October of last year, she edited and directed the viral voting PSA #Vote4theFuture, in collaboration with sister and United States Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman. The campaign featured self-taped clips from celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Cara Delevingne, Mahershala Ali, and Josh Groban.
She has discussed her films in publications like Essence, Bustle, MILK, the Daily Bruin, and on the radio for NPR. In 2016, Academy Award winning screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, presented Gorman with the Aaron Sorkin Writing Award at the WestFlix Film Festival. In 2017, her short film, Dear America was featured in a PBS special on race in America.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Children should be able to play soccer without worrying about war. "Here for You" is a call to action for stronger worldwide children's rights.