“connect” reminds us of our own humanity by allowing us to see ourselves in others. Six films show a social and visual portrait of over 160 people of different ages, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and religion from local communities in the USA (New York City), Germany (Schöppingen, Berlin), and Spain (Blanca).
The project presents stories and interactions that build intrigue about who we are and how we relate to one another. The protagonists share their private stories and thoughts in an honestly refreshing way, as they answer 5 universal questions that we all ask ourselves at one time or another. Each of these questions is the subject of its own film, with similar answers and counterpoints sewn together to build a narrative on humanity. These films are compelling and they draw us into the protagonists’ lives. Humans are curious by nature, so of course we’re interested in who these people are and what they do. The participants’ answers are so relatable or so unrelatable that we can’t tear ourselves away. Watching and listening to other people allows us to see ourselves in others and by doing so offers us a way to start connecting.
The feelings driving the project are true connection and a universal love for others that is simply based upon our shared humanity. These feelings are present in all of the works by virtue of the protagonists’ generosity and honesty, and they are especially present in the film ‘gestures’, where each of us is unconditionally offered feelings of genuine warmth and love by over 160 people we don’t know.
We may all be different but we all have the same core desires of love, peace, security and hope. We have much more in common than our differences suggest.
The questions are:
1. What makes you happy?
2. What are you scared of?
3. What do you love the most?
4. What advice would you give your younger self?
5. What are your hopes for the future?