About this Short Film
Noeleen Ginnane's View from a Depression with Chances of Hope and Rain (Australia, 2024) is a short, poetic film that reflects on adult depression, isolation and mental health. Presented in a lyrical mode, it offers a quiet, reflective portrayal of an individual living with mental illness. The piece sits comfortably in the Focus on Ability program by highlighting emotional depth and resilience within disability experiences. It asks viewers to slow down and listen, making space for small moments of hope amid difficulty. Recommended for audiences seeking intimate, thoughtful short films that speak to the varied ways people navigate mental health.
Film Details
Film Transcript
A child I was, as all once were. When experiences gathered and momentum dark as clouds, ominous in my already-afflicted dream, the foam gathered, the froth of people here, celebrating, rushing in like a tidal wave to upturn for purposes only torturous, temporarily. They crashed upon my shore; I lost my footing, I toppled, and was swept out to sea. I was dragged far, far from my home. I gasped for breath. Dark clouds above, dark emotions beneath. By the rip tide of life was I dragged into the deep as my heart choking on what was happening to me.
It was then that the first black wave came, spying a crack in my psyche. The black, black took up perch within and gathered in time, grew more black. And where once the light of childhood innocence shone, now gathered a murder or scratching sharp, tearing at my years of youth, my ego to shreds, my head.
At 17, I had tread water, held on to the slivers of light cast when you are a loner. And I swam furiously. I had what my kind of swim and time. Yes, it dumped me in a motion stage. And when I looked up, the first thing I saw was the sun. From that world, the murder of crows rushed, jostling in to block the light, to smother my gift of light.
But in each of us, I do believe there remains always, always, always a sliver of light. The sliver of light is the hope. When I dwelled on the crows, they multiplied. When I focused on the light, like arms of aid, it tore open wider and wider, more light within, and hope gathered and gathered, and one by one the crows, they flew away. One by one of these torturous years, as the light within widened, illuminated paths and ways of help. One by one, the crows take flight from me.
I just feel that we had nine. Shake isn't happy about the journey. But you trust me, darling. That is a serious bite.
My faculty, my self, true self, blink like beauty who slept 100 years as life so charmingly kisses my cheek and I do rise from sleep. Love.
Filmmaker
Noeleen Ginnane is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Noeleen Ginnane.
Oh Kerrie you're full of surprises I did not receive a notification that you'd commented so I hope you'll see my reply. I am truly honoured by you. Thank you so much Kerrie to bother dropping by and commenting. You're so supportive Bless Thank you for your generous comment. You never know how other people see you... unless they say. So thank you.
I know this beautiful lady personally. So troubled by her past. Yet she always has a smile. This short film made me feel her pain but also felt the light start to shine through. Thank you Neoleen for being courageous and brave to share. Xx
Hi Sophia I never received an alert about your comment so it's just as well I logged in today to check some things. I'm glad I haven't missed the opportunity to reply to you . THANK YOU I'm so grateful for your generous comment. I was surprised how well a ppt became a film and might do it again if there's any other comps going out there. A Masters of Creative Industries is a huge achievement. I did a BACreative Writing and considered a Masters but at 33000 I just... well education is only for the rich again. I'm grateful for you taking a moment to view me. Hope you liked it enough to vote hee hee Either way I am grateful for your audience. Cheers Noeleen
So well written excellent work. I hope there is more to come PowerPoint presentations into film is an easy and groovey way to go. Although I do have cameras I did use PP for some assignments in my Masters of Creative Industries. It is also great for presentation in word focused creative expressions. I look forward to your contribution in next year's festival too. Good luck with this one.