BOA NOITE SOLIDÃO | GOODNIGHT SOLITUDE
The title was inspired on a fado song by Mariza. This deals with an old lady that has lived alone for the past 12 years. In light of recent events, here in Portugal, about old people that live alone being found dead in their homes and due to all the social mentality around this issue, I decided to capture my great grandmother's position in all of this. And I must say, proudly, that she "kicks a lot of ass" in the whole matter, with a "young" and bright way of seeing things, something not very usually found within a Portuguese's away of thinking.
I directed this video and conducted the conversations with my great grandma. I think it is obvious to say that it was probably the hardest way to deal with a reality which I was against. I was afraid and completely NOT comfortable to expose not only her to entire production process but also myself. I know this might be a selfish way of reflecting on the work but it was impossible for me not to.
Of all the videos I've made so far, in terms of relationships and how to deal with people, causes, etc, this one taught me the most. I hope you see her with the dignity she deserves to be seen and to which I tried to convey into the video.
POST-SCRIPTUM 2015: My grandma has since past way (2014) and, honestely, at times, I regreted doing this... Because I felt there was so much more I should have captured instead of just getting it done in time for class (I also didn't want to bother her. She was already 95 at the time). But now, I'm happy I did this. It will never be a great documentary but it shows her fierce will and the way she lived her life. I also would like to state the following: In the end, she says she will surely die. However, one thing is certain for this woman: she will no die alone, and even if she does, she won't be alone for long. This was absolutely spot on. Until the very end, we all sat with her.
To this day, I still can't even hit the play button. At least not yet.
POST-SCRIPTUM 2015: My grandma has since past way (2014) and, honestely, at times, I regreted doing this... Because I felt there was so much more I should have captured instead of just getting it done in time for class (I also didn't want to bother her. She was already 95 at the time). But now, I'm happy I did this. It will never be a great documentary but it shows her fierce will and the way she lived her life. I also would like to state the following: In the end, she says she will surely die. However, one thing is certain for this woman: she will no die alone, and even if she does, she won't be alone for long. This was absolutely spot on. Until the very end, we all sat with her.
To this day, I still can't even hit the play button. At least not yet.
Here's the final cut version of the micro-documentary. The off voice near the end is from a poem about solitude and loneliness.
SCREEN CAPS _ heart warming moments with photography.
