Experiencing Interruptions?

Twisted Games

Open to an animated aerial view of a trailer park. Every home, every driveway, looks the same. We hear a voice begin to narrate a memory. She is inquisitive, steady. That’s why it’s such a surprise when it’s revealed to be the memory of a childhood sexual assault.

Danielle Criss takes us on a journey through her own true-life experiences with childhood trauma and sexual assault. She begins by expressing herself in animation. Art and animation is created by Danielle herself and through this expression, she is able to take her audience to a place they have never been before.

After the completion of her first story we follow Danielle in live action as she journeys via road trip to Central PA. Here, in the comfort of nature, Danielle reveals to her audience three additional predators from her past.

“The goal of this project was to find my voice and finally begin to heal. I never imagined how huge an impact this would actually have on my mental and emotional health. So much so that it has ignited in me a new passion: I would like to use my new abilities and the revolutionary momentum of the #METOO movement to get out there and help other women find their voice too. I ultimate goal would be to simply be the avenue for women to tell their stories: they decide what to tell and how to tell it, and I would simply make it happen. There was something so empowering about having 100% control over my story, and what I saw, and felt, and needed to say was all there as I imagined it. In a way, I spit it out, I vomited the pain.”

-- Danielle Criss

  • Danielle Criss
    Director
    Silence to Success
  • Danielle Criss
    Producer
    FREELANCERS with Bill Gentile
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Non Fiction, Childhood Sexual Trauma, Mental Health
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 7, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Danielle Criss

Danielle is a world traveler without a home-base. Growing up
Danielle had a passion for law and politics which motivated
her to acquire her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and
International Affairs and ultimately her Master’s Degree in
Social Policy. 

Danielle’s fortitude and leadership skills lead to a decade’s
long career in Sales and customer service. After gaining all
that this field could offer her, Danielle decided to return to
University for a more meaningful career change. She is
currently embarking upon a new and exciting journey into
strategic communication, Film and Media. Danielle Graduates
from American University in December 2017, and currently
works as Digital Media Manager for Vox Optima out of
National Harbor.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“The goal of this project was to find my voice and finally begin to heal. I never imagined how huge an impact this would actually have on my mental and emotional health. So much so that it has ignited in me a new passion: I would like to use my new abilities and the revolutionary momentum of the #METOO movement to get out there and help other women find their voice too. I ultimate goal would be to simply be the avenue for women to tell their stories: they decide what to tell and how to tell it, and I would simply make it happen. There was something so empowering about having 100% control over my story, and what I saw, and felt, and needed to say was all there as I imagined it. In a way, I spit it out, I vomited the pain.”