Heart
Thieves.

A jazz guitarist wrote an album for his newborn twins. When his son was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer, the songs became medicine. This is that film.

Trailer · Ultrawide cut2:14

Nineteen months.

In November 2025, Eden's scans came back bad.

Eden passed away on February 1, 2026. He was nineteen months old.

For Eden.

June 2024 — February 2026

A documentary about what art is actually for.

Heart Thieves is the film of that entire journey. The album, the diagnosis, the treatment, the music that held a family together, and the loss that followed.

Where it stands

Principal photographyIn progress
Final shoots — NYCSummer 2026
Post-productionSummer–December 2026
Festival submissionsEarly 2027

Collaborators

Tyler Roth
Colorist
Company 3, Los Angeles
Ryan Kleeman
Sound Engineer
Oakland, CA
Buddy Giguere
Motion Graphics
 
Reto Peter
Music Mix & Master
Oakland, CA

Rotem and I are friends.

We connected through guitars years ago and stayed close through conversations about music, creativity, and being dads. When the holidays passed in 2024 without our usual exchange, I assumed he was just busy with newborn twins and the holiday.

In January 2025 I learned what had actually happened. My first instinct was to help however I could. But as Rotem and I talked, we both realized this is bigger than just a fundraising video. Here was a musician whose artistic and musical journey is instantly redefined in the face of life's tragedies. We decided to film.

This is a personal film. There is no big production company behind this. There is no brand partnership. There's a story that found me and I want to honor that.

Kevin Jardin

Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer — Portland, Oregon

Two ways to help this film reach the finish line.

I'm not running a crowdfunding campaign. But if you're an individual who believes in the story, or an organization with a bigger role to play — thank you for your interest. Please click the link below.

For individuals

Contribute.

Tax-deductible contributions through our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas. Every bit helps finish the NYC shoots this summer.

Donate via Fractured Atlas ↗
For industry

Get in touch.

Distributors, festival programmers, documentary investors, fellow filmmakers — let's talk. Kevin reads every email himself.

contact@portlandpictureworks.com→
Heart ✦ Thieves ✦ 2027