We hosted two small pre-screenings of the film on December 9th, 2019 (in person) and September 1st 2020 (online). The purpose of these screenings was to encourage dialogue. We asked attendees to share their first impressions of Left Opened and whether they thought we had captured a relevant exploration of anxiety.
*Big thank you to HCMA architecture and their Tilt program, and Mark Busse for hosting the first in person screening on December 9th 2019.
Here’s some of what was written on the feedback forms…
Audience Feedback:
“An engaging, moving, and immersive experience that prompted new insights and viewpoints both professionally and personally.”
– Gregg Taylor, Director, Family Services of Greater Vancouver / Counsellor
“Interesting to see a project featured that wasn’t just about the final product but also just as importantly, or more so, used as a catalyst for discussion, connection, and dialogue.”
“My first impression was how well the poet and pianist interacted — melodically and rhythmically.”
“The film would be very inspiring to anyone who has ever felt like they needed to be silent, but didn’’t want to be — a universal experience.”
“Maybe the ability to heal, doesn’t mean the ability to explain,’ — this section of the poem really hit home for me with a personal experience about trauma and recovery, actually (not anxiety) – it felt very relatable & really captured how I feel and actually helped me make sense of how I feel.”
“Sometimes the pauses and changes in cadence of music — or the emotional shifts were very fulfilling. I could feel my body grow less tense, or more tense.”
“One time the camera followed the upward and outward movement of the dancers and the music went with it too — wow!”