Powerful Short from Benjamin Nicolas Uses Shattered Glass To Illustrate Impact of War on Children
Sibling Rivalry director Benjamin Nicolas today unveils Broken Dreams, a beautifully shot short film telling the story of conflict and hope from a child’s perspective.
Created by Benjamin Nicolas, this short tells the story of Imane, a 10-year-old girl living in Kamed refugee camp, West Bekaa, Lebanon, who has both written and delivered the voiceover for the film.
Parisian-born and Montreal-based director Benjamin developed the idea for Broken Dreams having been deeply emotionally impacted by the conflict happening in areas across the world including Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and more, in particular by images of helpless children.
“As a filmmaker, I couldn’t just stand by. I wanted to take action, to create something that would resonate beyond words,” Benjamin said.
“Giving visibility to voices we rarely hear is at the heart of my approach,” he adds. “Through my long-time friend Diane Antakli, founder of the NGO Baroudeurs de l’Espoir, we connected with and chose the incredible Imane for this role.
“Visually, I needed to represent childhood in a more abstract way. That’s why my daughter, Zoë, appears in the film—she embodies an innocent yet deeply aware presence. Given how sensitive she is to these issues, she was eager to participate.”
The overarching concept for the film marries Montreal-based artist Olivier Monfet‘s bold experimentation with shattered glass, overlaid with Imane’s narration of her world smashing to pieces around her.
Olivier has dedicated himself to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression through his innovative use of broken and shattered glass. Throughout the film, he creates a representation of a picture of two children in Gaza by award-winning Palestinian photojournalist, Motaz Azaiza. “By shattering glass to reveal the children’s faces, he makes a powerful statement: even after everything is broken, beauty and life persist,” said Benjamin.
The art piece will be auctioned to support Baroudeurs de l’Espoir, an NGO funding tangible aid for displaced children.
The film features music by acclaimed composer Nils Frahm. “My editor Carla Luffe and I immediately connected with Nils’s music,” said Benjamin. “His work brings a subtle depth and emotional honesty that perfectly matches the essence of the film.”
Throughout the process, the director engaged in discussions with Darren Foldes, partner and head of films at Sibling Rivalry, about the craft of filmmaking.
“It’s been transformative to work with Imane, to capture her lived experience through film,” said Benjamin. “Hearing a child speak from within the reality of a refugee camp is profoundly powerful. It’s not just about the visuals; it’s about creating a direct, undeniable emotional connection. As an adult, my voice is secondary here—I wanted a child to speak to adults.”
Darren added, “The red thread throughout Benjamin’s work is how he relates to the subject matter, finding the most resonant version of the story to tell, and telling it with empathy and grace. From his Children’s Hospital spot to his latest documentary film, A Quiet Storm—currently picking up festival accolades—he has worked on such a broad range of projects using a lot of different techniques, and he does justice to every story he tells.”
Benjamin added, “I strive to make every project meaningful, but Broken Dreams carries a weight that feels different. With the current global crisis, this film isn't just a story—it’s a response.”
Broken Dreams premiers globally on March 24, 2025.
