Every Drop Matters

The Brief Nordic Medical Centre (NMC) is one of the highest-rated hospitals in Addis Ababa, founded by Dr. Kjell — a Norwegian physician who grew up in Ethiopia and chose to build his career there. In a city with no functioning emergency response infrastructure, Dr. Kjell partnered with Kiipo to establish the country's first organized emergency system, train local medical staff, and operate a charitable fund covering treatment costs for patients who cannot afford care. NMC's operating revenue flows directly back into that fund.

The client wanted a film that captured not just what they do, but why — and how their work has created a genuine, lasting connection to the community and the land.

My Role I joined the production as assistant director and cinematographer, working on the ground in Addis Ababa alongside the directing team. My responsibilities covered camera operation across interview setups and observational sequences, as well as on-set coordination during filming. Shooting in Ethiopia required constant adaptation — working with local crew, navigating hospital environments, and capturing authentic moments in a context that demanded sensitivity and precision.

The Approach The production team structured the narrative around belonging rather than rescue — Dr. Kjell is not a visitor doing good work. He is home. The story moves in three parts: the city and its medical reality, the people NMC serves and employs, and the infrastructure being built for the future. The visual approach was observational and unhurried, letting the environment and the people speak rather than over-directing moments that were already there.

The Result A commercial documentary distributed across Kiipo and NMC's international communications channels, used in fundraising presentations and partnership outreach. The film captures institutional credibility and genuine human warmth — making the case for NMC's work without asking the audience to feel sorry for anyone.