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A woman laughs as she holds up a freshly cut mango under the orchard canopy

Origin Stories · Documentary series · The Americas and the Caribbean

National Mango BoardDocumentary series

Origin Stories

01 · The story

Some fruits are just ingredients. The mango is an experience.

An international quest to capture the soul of a fruit. From California's sun-soaked orchards to Brazil's tropical farms, Origin Stories repositions the humble mango into a national sensation.

Client
National Mango Board
Type
Documentary series
Where
The Americas and the Caribbean
Year
2022–2023
Services
Concept development, film production, photography, post production

The mango's journey is one of resilience, tradition, and transformation. Origin Stories helped bridge the gap between culture and commerce in an engaging, beautiful way.

02

The films

Play Handcrafted

The golden glow of the Golden State never disappoints. We embraced the scorching heat of the Coachella Valley to visit Rod and Debbie at their family farm, where they gave us a peek into what it takes to grow their world-class mangos.

  1. 01HandcraftedCalifornia, USA · 2023
  2. 02Fuerza / StrengthTambo Grande, Peru · 2023
  3. 03Crecer / GrowOaxaca, Mexico · 2022
  4. 04Regalo / GiftSantiago Atitlán, Guatemala · 2023
  5. 05Inovação / InnovationVale do São Francisco, Brazil · 2023
  6. 06Cuidar / CareIsla Santa Cruz, Ecuador · 2022
  7. 07Reúna / GatherSanta Isabel, Puerto Rico · 2022

03 · The approach

So when we got the call, we packed our bags, pulled together the crew, and followed the mango's journey across seven distinct regions, each with its own climate, culture, and deep-rooted love for the fruit. From the sprawling orchards of California to the humid farms of Brazil, the bustling markets of Mexico to the fertile soil of Peru, Origin Stories brought the National Mango Board's seed of an idea to life.

Every step along the way, we met the people who nurture this fruit, whose livelihoods depend on its success. We encountered farmers with weathered hands, passing down generations of knowledge to the next in line, chefs pushing the boundaries of what a mango can become, and families who've gathered around mango-laden tables for as long as they can remember.

Eight films, over four years.

Through a cinematic documentary approach, we didn't simply record these moments. We immersed viewers within them. The golden glow of ripe fruit hanging from a tree. The rhythmic chop of a knife slicing through its flesh. The first juicy bite, sticky on sun-kissed fingers. These weren't just films; they were invitations to join the movement.

The impact of Origin Stories continues to grow. Audiences aren't just seeing mangos differently, they're craving them. New consumers are seeking them out, and engaging with their story in new ways. With each new view, share, and conversation sparked, the National Mango Board is deepening America's connection to this remarkable fruit.

From maintaining international compliance to hiring trusted, local crews, safety and logistical efficiency were key components to making Origin Stories a seamless production across North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Our team navigated customs, permits, and security measures to ensure every shoot ran smoothly, no matter the country. Working hand-in-hand with local talent and experts, we were able to worry less, and focus on the task at hand. Telling killer stories.

Behind the scenes

A camera operator films two men talking on a harbor wall lined with small boats
Isla Santa Cruz · Ecuador
A camera operator and sound recordist stand on a dusty road under the trees
On the road · Mexico
Two crew members on rocks at the water's edge below a wooded hillside
Santa Isabel · Puerto Rico

The beautiful thing about filmmaking is the fact that it's a team sport. A small, but mighty crew made this dream a reality.

A multilingual initiative.

Origin Stories was more than a cross-continental production. It was a multilingual effort designed to connect with diverse audiences authentically. We ensured seamless communication by accommodating multiple languages through our in-house team working directly with culturally relevant speakers. This approach allowed us to create content that felt genuine, immersive, and accessible to audiences worldwide.

What a dream.

Over the course of four years, we traveled countless miles, learned much, met many new faces, and delivered some of the most successful creative in the history of the National Mango Board. This was one for the books, and we'll continue to look back on it with a nostalgic sense of awe long into the future.

A crew selfie in the desert with a camera on a jib arm behind
Overhead view of a red table crowded with plates
A man walks toward the sea under an open pier shelter
The crew and a group of women pose outside a bright pink shop at night
A camera operator and sound recordist on a dusty road under palm trees
A man talks to the crew on a hill above an orchard while the camera rolls
The crew loading gear into the back of a pickup on a steep town street
The sound recordist clips a mic onto a man in a floral shirt under the trees
A camera operator films a surfer carrying her board on the beach at dusk
The crew smiling from their seats on a bus
Two crew members silhouetted against the setting sun under a porch roof
A camera operator in a bucket hat carries the camera past a white car