Member Susannah shares her interpretation of our film Hope
As part of Clean Break's Film Festival 2024, we invited our Members to write about the films in our programme. A group of Members generously put themselves forward for the task, and have shared honest, heartfelt and insightful interpretations and reviews of the films.
Read what Susannah has to say about Clean Break's film Hope:
This lyrical documentary explores the lives of four women who have found hope despite circumstances that would otherwise be deemed as hopeless. One of the cast members, Nicole, states early on in the film: “I don’t know if (hope) can be taught, the theory can be put in place but until you’ve experienced something where you’re going to need it, it’s hard to theorise it”. This short film does an incredible job of showcasing the true, innate essence of hope, whilst highlighting how it does not have to be logically sensical in regards to the circumstances in which it is found.
In this sense, hope is presented as an innate essence that can be tapped into without needing to explain or justify its existence. Whilst it may not make logical sense to be hopeful in a time when living costs and daily tragedies have become the norm, the film outlines that hope is still within reach, as it is cultivated from the inside-out. Therefore, it is not wholly dependent on societal factors, as it is a concept that transcends any logical bounds.
The story is narrated by Natasha, who delivers an overarching, beautifully lyrical piece that encapsulates the true essence of each of the cast, who are all Clean Break Member artists. Her delivery is soft and nuanced, with the vast amount of imagery contained weaving a web of intimate connection between each of the women.
Carina is described as an “octopus of hope”. This is notably prevalent when she states that it is not the retelling of the most “dramatic” events in her personal life that have delivered the most hope. Instead, it is how she currently presents herself to the world as a living embodiment of change and transformation, which undoubtedly has a more profound ripple effect in contrast to solely focusing on the past.
Michelle is described as a “twist in a pivot of glimmer and shimmer”. She outlines how she has changed on a deeply personal level despite the darkness of her past. She acknowledges the “ripple effect" of being able to use her own trauma to ease the pain of others with an abundance of strengthening grace that oozes from her whilst she is on the screen.
Nicole beautifully outlines how she has overcome her addictions, to rebirth the magic of hope in her craft. Her ability to discern her true essence from any outside influences has clearly re-opened a window to her soul, inherently cultivating a strength that has evolved despite any previous impositions.
The intensity of the pain that these women have experienced is never undermined by the beauty of the poetry contained in the piece. Each of the women make clear acknowledgements of their own painful experiences, and you get the sense that the hope they have found is in direct equivalence to the pain they have suffered.
As Carina states in her affirmations “even though I feel this despair, I choose to love, honour and accept myself.”
Thus, the film does not glaze over the pain experienced by these women, which is notably important in a piece that gets to the heart of how a lasting hope is found. We may often associate the notion of hope with toxic positivity tropes, where you are always expected to be optimistic without acknowledging the depth of pain that you may have experienced. But this film strikes a crucial, careful balance between the impact of traumatic injury and the hope that can be derived from a strengthened connection to oneself.
As violence against women and girls continues to be a widely unacknowledged and ignored epidemic, there is a visceral anger that is embodied towards the end of the piece. However, this anger is transmuted into the beauty of sisterhood that is showcased in the physical theatre scene, highlighting how solidarity can help the individual to tap back into (or discover for the first time) an unparalleled hope that strengthens the heart. This film leaves you with the notion that it is entirely possible to transform painful experiences into the everlasting and more sustainable power of hope.
Purchasing a Film Festival Pass gives you access to all films in our programme during the festival. Films will be available to watch on our Knowledge Hub from 23 September, and will expire after 6 October.
We've set a number of different price options for our Festival Pass, so you can chose an option which best suits you:
£30 Solidarity Pass + Tote Bag! - We'll send you a limited edition Clean Break Film Festival tote bag after the festival ends!
£25 Solidarity Pass - If you have the means to purchase a Solidarity Pass, your generous support will be gratefully received.
£15 Standard Festival Pass - This is the standard price for our Festival Pass.
£5 Low or no income Pass - If you are unwaged or are on a low income, you might like to chose this option.
£1 Lived Experience Pass - This option is for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
Purchasing a Festival Pass supports Clean Break's life changing work with women with experience of the criminal justice system, or who are at risk of entering it. We greatly appreciate your support!
