TRACE: the film

by Abi Pirani

Video, 19:08 mins

Please note this film contains adult themes. The exhibitor recommends that it is viewed by people age 16 years and older.

This unique film was made during lockdown in my living room. The soundtrack was devised by me to be used on Vimeo so is copyright-free. I created all the puppets and scenery. It took about two months to make and it is my first film.  Most of the film uses shadow puppets.  There is one large puppet, called Torn Teen, who interacts with the viewer.

I had to learn how to use iMovie, then set up a “stage” and blacked out the room. There were false starts as I did not like what I could see and had to start again. The process was really interesting, and I hope to make other films in the future.

The film runs for just under 20 minutes and is aimed at a 16+ audience.  The subject is the long-term impact on mental health of adverse childhood experiences and how dissociation affects that child. The film also looks at the recovery process and ends on a hopeful note as the various parts of the child and woman are drawn together again.  

Although I had intended to follow up this film with a live show in 2021, that may take a very different form again as the impact of the pandemic alters the creative perspective, so watch this space!