Grief takes many forms, and we all experience it, process it, and live with it in different ways. These short films explore the impact that grief has on our mental health.
Bringing together a diverse collection of stories to explore the expansiveness of grief, including a community affected by the impact of suicide, individuals writing letters to their lost loved ones, a woman coming to terms with a series of miscarriages, and three women using artistic practice and creative therapies to help them through their loss, this is a moving, powerful and ultimately hopeful programme.
Watch Grief at INDY On Demand. Screening 17-23 May for UK audiences. Runtime: 68m.
Join us for a Zoom Q&A with the filmmakers at 2pm on Saturday 22 May.
Content notes: discussion of bereavement, institutional abuse, lobotomy, methadone use, miscarriage, stillbirth, suicide, strong language, depiction of blood, nudity, sexual references. These are also listed individually by film.
Programme:
Mind Yersel’, Bonnie McRae, Scotland, 4m Winner of the Community award at SMHAF 2021
A zero-budget short film by 21-year-old Bonnie MacRae, created in response to her hometown of Dundee being labelled as Scotland’s suicide capital. Featuring a creative script and moving portraits of local people, it is both a striking film and an effective campaign to get people to open up about mental health and suicide in the city. Content: discussion of suicide prevention.
Between Heaven and Hell, Liina Johansson, Sweden, 5m, International Premiere
Sara, who experiences depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, uses a letter to connect with their Finnish great-grandmother, whose life was marked by damaging treatment received in psychiatric care. This creative documentary aims to challenge stigma in their family and throughout society. Content: discussion of lobotomy.
Trifle, Mike Callaghan, Scotland, 15m, Scottish Premiere
Alice, a grieving pharmacist, struggles with the realisation that her husband was having an affair before his death. Starring Amy Manson and Tam Dean Burn, this is a warm and compassionate drama about the complexities of grief and the power of human connection. Content: brief nudity, sexual references, strong language, methadone use.
Letter To My Brother, Isabelle Giroux, Canada, 6m, European Premiere
An experimental essay film that emerged from director Isabelle Giroux’s grief after the loss of her brother, Benoït who had schizophrenia and learning disabilities. It is an attempt to extend his life through the suggestion of his presence on film. Content: bereavement.
Letters: The Art of Grieving, Nich Perez, USA, 20m, European Premiere
An intimate and meditative documentary about three women who diverse artistic practices to process their grief. Three stories intertwine: a poet and fiber artist who lost her husband to Alzheimer’s disease, an artist whose 9-week-old son died unexpectedly, and a young painter who lost her mother to brain cancer. Content: grief, stillbirth.
Grab My Hand: A Letter to My Dad, Camrus Johnson & Pedro Piccinini, USA, 5m
This animated film was created to support the director’s father after the loss of his best friend and celebrate the bond that they shared. A personal story of grief, those we look up to, and how the interactions we can take for granted play a huge part in how we live our lives.
A Glimpse, Zinnie Harris, Scotland, 16m, World Premiere - Winner of the Short Drama award at SMHAF 2021
A young mother accidentally opens a window on her past self, at a time when she was struggling with a series of miscarriages. The debut short film by acclaimed playwright and screenwriter Zinnie Harris, this is a sensitive, authentic and ultimately hopeful portrayal of a woman living through and after a distressing period of her life. Content notes: miscarriage, blood, strong language
Image: A Glimpse. Credit: Robert Pereira Hind
Screening at INDY On Demand ONLINE
Mon 17th - Sun 23rd May
Pay What You Can (FREE, £2, £4, £6)
SMHAF Film Pass: £15 / £10
UK Audiences
Zoom Q&A ONLINE
Sat 22nd May, 2pm - 3pm
Tickets: FREE
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