Being a part of a family is a constantly evolving role. It’s a journey of growth, change, and adaptation that shapes us in profound ways. Hungarian filmmaker Sári Haragonics understands this all too well, as she reflects on her own experiences and the shifts within her own family dynamics. After losing her mother 13 years ago, Haragonics embarked on a creative exploration of grief, guilt, and the intricate web of familial responsibilities.
A Journey of Healing and Discovery
In her graduation short film, “Coming Face to Face,” shot three years after her mother’s passing, Haragonics skillfully weaves together home-movie footage and scenes from a summer holiday with her father and brother. Through this intimate portrayal of their shared grief, she artfully captures the complexities of familial bonds. Now, a decade later, Haragonics is delving deeper into the ever-changing nature of family dynamics in her latest project, “Don’t Worry, Sári.”
A Project Born from Personal Experience
Describing the project to Variety, Haragonics reveals that it serves as the next chapter in her exploration of grief and the evolving role she plays within her family. Pitched at the Agora Docs in Progress and recently awarded the prestigious 119 Marvila Studios Award, “Don’t Worry, Sári” promises to be an emotionally charged film that provides profound insights into the intricacies of familial relationships.
Uniting Past and Present
Haragonics discovered an abundance of family footage that documented her life from birth. This realization sparked a connection between herself and her late mother, both using the camera as a tool to preserve memories and bind their family together. The home videos capture everyday moments, family meals, conversations, and even arguments. They serve as a time capsule, allowing Haragonics to revisit and reshape her personal archives.
According to Haragonics, this introspective journey is an opportunity for anyone to understand their family dynamics and gain insights into the factors that have shaped their own identity.
Redefining Responsibility
“To what extent are we responsible for the ones we love?” This question serves as the film’s logline, challenging traditional notions of familial responsibility. Producer Inez Mátis believes that true support can sometimes come from stepping back rather than constantly being present. “Don’t Worry, Sári” challenges the idea that always being there is the best way to help one’s family, highlighting the importance of finding a balance between personal growth and supporting loved ones.
A Dialogue Beyond Time and Space
Haragonics takes a deeply personal approach in “Don’t Worry, Sári.” She not only visually appears in the film but also shares candid voiceovers. These voiceovers consist of recordings of her dreams made after waking up, capturing the raw and often elusive emotions that lie beneath the surface. In this way, the film becomes a dialogue between Haragonics and her late mother, delving into the depths of her inner feelings and reflecting on the contrast between one’s interior and exterior worlds.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
The creation of “Don’t Worry, Sári” has been a non-linear process for Haragonics, punctuated with financial challenges and breaks. However, these hurdles have provided her with an opportunity to closely examine her relationship with her family members. The project has been supported by Creative Europe Media, but it’s the intense personal reflection and self-discovery that have truly shaped this transformative documentary. Haragonics describes the process as therapeutic, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of herself and her family dynamics through the medium of film.
A Personal Methodology
Haragonics draws upon her academic background in participatory video, a methodology that empowers communities and groups to tell their own stories through film. For her, making films about her family is rooted in a sense of equality and understanding. She aims to create documentaries that don’t exploit her subjects but rather foster a genuine connection and mutual respect.
As Haragonics continues to explore transgenerational heritage and the complexities of mental health, “Don’t Worry, Sári” promises to be a heartfelt and thought-provoking film. Through her unique perspective and personal journey, Haragonics invites audiences to reflect on their own familial responsibilities and the transformative power of love.
The Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, where “Don’t Worry, Sári” will be screened, offers an ideal platform for viewers to engage with this captivating exploration of the ever-changing dynamics within families.
Source: F5mag.com