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