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