Private Project

Left Opened: A Collaboration About Anxiety

Left Opened is a poetry, improvised piano and improvised dance collaboration about the experience of anxiety.

Centred around a five-part narrative poem, this project was not about offering solutions, or about telling a hero’s narrative that turns anxiety into a villain that we needed to beat down or destroy by the end. Collectively, we were very specifically interested in exploring the experience of anxiety; the sensations, melodies, metaphors, and movements we’ve associated with anxiety at different times in our lives.

  • Rick Etkin
    Director
  • Christine Bissonnette
    Writer
  • Christine Bissonnette
    Producer
  • Rick Etkin
    Producer
  • Craig Addy
    Producer
  • Christine Bissonnette
    Key Cast
    "Poet"
  • Craig Addy
    Key Cast
    "Pianist"
  • Drew Temple
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Vitantonio Spinelli
    Key Cast
    "Dancer"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    poetry, dance, mental health
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 25, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4k, Nikon z6, D850, gopro
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Rick Etkin

Rick Etkin is a long time cinematographer, director and still photographer based in Vancouver BC. Known for creating “Imagery that Stirs” mostly in the commercial and advertising world he also has created short form documentaries and 48hr film festival entries.
Etkin always seeks an emotional response to his work both personal and assignment related. To create memories, desires, compassion, involvement, fun, or other connections with the viewer.
As a social and active person, he has enjoyed meeting and interacting with many people who have contributed to making his life much fuller and richer. It is only natural that his images reflect things important in his life; people doing things in interesting places. Holding a deep belief in community he can be found advocating for and building community with CreativeMornings and Likemind. Bringing culinary art and tasty images together with Slideluck or teaching business and photography at Langara College, Capilano University and elsewhere.

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Director Statement

Collaborating on a passion project with such a talented, dedicated and motivated team, all working to create a performance piece with an important message was an honour and a pleasure. Anxiety affects so many people and Christine's poem inspired me the first time I heard her recite some of the opening lines. I know many people that live inside that box and wanted to create something that could help. That led us all on the journey of making the film "Left Opened". It was our hope to open dialogue about life with anxiety and with this film perhaps encourage others to tell their story.