Three Little Words
Three Little Words explores three individuals’ cancer diagnoses and how words, community and water impact their healing process and outlook on everyday life.
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Nicole CloseDirector
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Nicole CloseProducer
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Patti DavidsonKey Cast
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Julie MartellKey Cast
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Rob CotterillKey Cast
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Runtime:12 minutes
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Completion Date:October 11, 2024
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Production Budget:200 CAD
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Canada
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16x9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Nicole Close has worked in the film industry as an Assistant Director for over twenty years. She began making her own films as a way to process and heal after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her debut film “Projections” was a brave experimental short film that explored her relationship with her body after breast cancer and her journey towards acceptance. Nicole's latest work "Three Little Words" is a short documentary that features the unique perspectives of three individuals as they navigate and reflect upon their experience as someone who had/has cancer.
The concept of "Three Little Words" was a few years in the making. After my experience with breast cancer, I began to reach out to anyone that I knew that had cancer. I may have had a different kind of cancer and/or different treatments but my willingness to talk openly and honestly about cancer, offered them a safe space to share. They could talk about where they were in the process without having to filter how they were feeling or what they said and most of all they didn't have take care of me or my feelings about their cancer.
It is different talking to someone that has or has had cancer. Those Three Little Words: “You have cancer” or “Your cancer’s back” create a bond that connects you to complete strangers. When you share your experience with them, the words come easier and there are just things that you don’t have to explain. People without cancer frequently are scared of saying the wrong thing, which in turn leaves the person with cancer feeling like everyone around them is walking on eggshells. Your cancer suddenly becomes about them and their ability to feel comfortable about your cancer.
When sharing the experiences of Patti, Julie & Rob, I chose not to focus on their faces. I wanted to place the emphasis on their their words and I wanted them to forget about the camera and to just talk to me. I also wanted to give the viewers the opportunity to listen without distraction; to gain insight into this community.
My hope is that this film will resonate with those who have cancer and offer insight to those that do not.