Documentary Invites You to “Meet the Hitlers” with Social Media Campaign #whatsinaname

From Matt Ogens, director of the critically acclaimed full-length documentary Confessions of a Superhero, comes his latest meditation on the theme of identity, Meet the Hitlers. Expanding on the ideas of his previous film, Meet the Hitlers explores the real people who are linked by the name “Hitler” and how their lives have been altered as a result. To help introduce the film online comes “#whatsinaname,” a Tumblr-based social campaign that extends across several platforms. The project is the first of a multi-part digital effort from NYC-based communications agency TRUST, and will acclimate online audiences to the quirky, often moving world of Meet the Hitlers.

Meet the Hitlers raises important questions about the meaning of names, and explores complex issues like immigration, racism, and tolerance. Yet it is ultimately a character-driven story, offering an intimate portrait of its subjects, whose reactions to their name span the spectrum of human experience, from tragedy to comedy, and heartbreak to hope.

To showcase these themes, “#whatsinaname” assembles a broad range of content that highlights people named Hitler, and those with equally strange and bizarre names, presenting them in bold juxtaposition at www.whatsinaname.me. A guidance counselor named Marijuana Pepsi, a boy named Lady Gaga, and a range of people named Hitler are all displayed with links to online articles featuring interviews and additional information. Visitors are encouraged to use the hashtag #whatsinaname and share media or their own equally interesting tales of names and how they can alter perceptions. This same content and message extends to Facebook and Twitter for a fully inclusive social media experience.

#whatsinaname represents the beginning of an effort to pull people into the world of the Meet the Hitlers documentary. Future interactive efforts will allow users to experience a simulation of what it is like to be a Hitler, aptly named “Become A Hitler”.

The full documentary Meet the Hitlers will debut at the New Orleans Film Festival running from October 16-23, with more screenings to be announced.

Click here to preorder Meet the Hitlers
Like Meet the Hitlers on Facebook
Follow Meet the Hitlers on Twitter

Screening info:
New Orleans Film Festival
Friday – 10/17/2014 – 7:15 p.m – The Theatres at Canal Place #9
Sunday – 10/19/2014 – 5:15 p.m. – CAC

For more information contact:
Nathaniel Pollard
TRUST
nathan@trustcollective.com
646-452-3388

Downloads:

Credits:

Produced and Directed by Matt Ogens | mattogens.com
Executive Producers: Joshua Evan Greenberg, Bryn Mooser
Co-Producers: Brad Lavery, Katie Doering
Editors: Bill Chessman, Steve Prestemon
Director of Photography: Charlie Gruet
Additional Cinematography: Jon Michael Ryan
Music by Greg Kuehn
Mother + Father presents
In association with Ryot Films
© The Name Project, LLC

“#whatsinaname” social design and development: TRUST

About Matt Ogens:

Matt Ogens is an accomplished filmmaker with a strong sense of cinematic storytelling. His work delivers a uniquely intelligent and observational perspective that sets him apart.

Matt’s television work has been featured on MTV, VH1, CBS, ESPN, and CNN. The latter includes segments from CNN Heroes, hosted by Anderson Cooper, which took Matt around the globe and to the frontlines of Iraq. Matt has earned three Emmy Award nominations for his work on two ESPN original series, Timeless and The Life, both of which explore the behind-the-scenes reality of some of sport’s top personalities. He recently directed two short films for Stand Up To Cancer, executive produced by Gwyneth Paltrow, and a short film on the Harlem Globetrotters for ESPN’s award winning 30 for 30 series.

Matt’s previous documentary, Confessions of a Superhero, exposed the world to an eccentric group of actors chasing success in Hollywood—but are all stuck impersonating comic book characters on the Walk of Fame. The film screened at the SXSW and AFI film festivals, and it went on to enjoy a successful theatrical release under the Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) production banner. The film aired on The Sundance Channel and is one of the most-watched documentaries on Netflix, Hulu, and Snag Films.