A moving personal narrative of young filmmaker Caid Dow's continuing struggle with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered at the age of 14, delivered in a poetic openverse style.
Artist's Statement:
I See Stars is an extremely personal story of my mental health journey. I was initially hesitant to make this film, however, I knew I wanted to make a documentary about personal mental health stories, to work towards dismantling the stigma. I wanted to make an anonymous film from a collection of experiences. But when it came down to it, I found the most accessible story was my own. It was incredibly challenging to share, but the results have astonished me. Not only has my documentary moved people in a way which I never predicted, I’ve also had many audience members reach out and tell me how it personally resonates with them. After making this film on the budget of an eggplant, my approach to filmmaking has changed. Being vulnerable and raw has enabled me to push further as an artist and as a human. I’ve come to appreciate the content of films valuing honesty over technicality. I am blessed and privileged to share stories in such an accessible medium.
Award(s): H. Norman Lidster Prize in Documentary Filmmaking, 2018