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
Book via Eventbrite
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Tickets are being snapped up for the latest films at Kirkintilloch Town Hall – starring Trolls, Willy Wonka, pub patrons and potentially you (don't forget your singing voice)!
READ MOREJoin the dynamic trio of Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael as they expertly dissect and hilariously roast some of the most mind-boggling movies ever made!
READ MOREExplore stories through film and crafting about holidays and posting letters at The National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall's Family Film Club!
READ MOREA screening of Alteritats, a documentary that collects the diverse voices of the lesbian community in Catalonia, will be shown at New Phoenix Cinema as part of the Catalan Film Festival.
READ MOREThe National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall are delighted to have Felix along to run two film making workshops aimed at children and young people aged 8 – 16 and their care givers!
READ MOREEnjoy a special screening of Puss in Boots - the Last Wish at Hillington Park Church on Friday 12th April!
READ MOREEnjoy watching the award-winning 2014 film Paddington on a giant HD screen, accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 13th April!
READ MOREJoin the National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall for an award-winning documentary which tells the inside story of how communities are standing up against the fossil fuel industry.
READ MOREExperience the excitement of ghost hunting as The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow present a special screening of one of Ryan and Shane's favorite episodes of Ghost Files followed by a Q&A!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"