STARTLE RESPONSE

STARTLE RESPONSE is an experimental documentary piece by Michèle Saint-Michel. Part of her PTSD Suite, an experimental documentary collection that includes seven individual films. Each film explores a specific symptom (or grouping of symptoms) of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Borrowing a narrative storytelling approach from director Lizzie Borden, Saint-Michel shares vignettes, allegories, poetry, and sometimes dictionary entries, to create a liminal world where the center of many Venn diagrams overlap.

The film features music by Katie Alice Greer.

  • Michèle Saint-Michel
    Director
    Lost Sock Collection, School of Life, Don't Tell Me I'm Beautiful
  • Katie Greer
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Archival
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Great Wave Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    October 17, 2020
    World Premiere
  • Prismatic Ground Experimental Documentary Festival
    New York City
    United States
    April 8, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Michèle Saint-Michel

Michèle Saint-Michel is an artist, experimental filmmaker, and author. Designed to promote healing, her works encourage healthy coping and recovery from difficult experiences. Saint-Michel’s work is deeply rooted in experiential time and cultural constructions of the feminine.

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Director Statement

In this piece, we explore an overactive startle response. An exaggerated startle response, emotional arousal and reactivity are arguably the most familiar symptom group of trauma-related symptoms. Recognizable symptoms are jumpiness, startling, and being on edge. When trauma survivors are startled, it can trigger a flashback or other intrusive thoughts.