STILL HERE? is a poignant and heartfelt film by Solène Anglaret that screened at the Little Venice Film Festival in London in October.
Can you tell us about the film Still Here? What is the story, and what are the key themes explored in it?
‘Still Here?’ is about a woman who, on the brink of despair, contemplates ending her life. Listening to heartfelt messages from friends about what makes life worth living, she discovers the fragile yet resilient thread of hope. Inspired by the writer’s own story, this deeply personal project aims to provide a resource for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide or despair.
‘Still Here?’ was shot in London and Romsey in the UK. Everyone who kindly lent their voice and image to the film has lived experience of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and suicidality. They are based all over the world: Australia, India, US, Canada, UK, UAE and represent even more cultures, countries, and languages through their backgrounds and life journeys.
The key themes explored in ‘Still Here?’ are: mental health, despair, suicidality, hope, community, meaning, and belonging.
What was the initial inspiration behind Still Here? What sparked the idea for this film?
We created the film I needed the day I found myself sitting at the window, wanting to end it all. At the time, I often listened to Oprah Winfrey‘s best motivational speeches while running on the treadmill.
It helped… but only somewhat.
That’s when I thought about creating a resource by and for those who found themselves in the depths of darkness, something that would make us feel profoundly seen and understood first and foremost. This reflection sparked the initial idea for the film.
How did the collaboration between you and Robert Stanley Crampton as co-directors shape the creative process? Did you have specific roles or did you share duties equally?
Robert and I were introduced by Isaac and met in person for the first time on shooting day 1 in London. I’ve absolutely loved working with him on this project and hope there will be many more! At that time, we had already created an initial draft of the film with another team but it wasn’t working and I felt stuck and disheartened.
It was wonderful to have lots of new ideas come through, especially Robert’s suggestion to introduce the voice overs as vocal messages, genius! We worked very closely and seamlessly. Our roles were clear, particularly post-filming, with Robert leading on all the editing while I focused on communications and festival submissions.
The film touches on deeply emotional and personal themes. How did you approach conveying such vulnerability on screen while maintaining authenticity?
From the heart. I followed my intuition and leaned into my own vulnerability and authenticity to connect with others and, hopefully, spark deep reflection and connection.
Can you share the experience of working with Isaac Harvey and Emma Hames as producers? How did their involvement enhance the film’s production?
Isaac is a friend of mine. We were talking once about how sad I was that this project wasn’t where I would have liked it to be and he offered to get involved. His determination, passion, and extensive network were instrumental in turning this project into what it is today.
Emma saw a post on Isaac’s LinkedIn and offered to help us on our London shooting days. She was very helpful and gained a bunch of ideas for her own documentary project TOXSICK – check it out.
What were some of the challenges you faced during the filmmaking process, and how did you overcome them?
I faced a lot of challenges, from the budget to the time and the evolution of the team.
Truth is, I am grateful for all the roadblocks as the film wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for the tribulations, iterations, and contributions of every single person involved along the way.
As a director, how did you guide the actors to deliver performances that aligned with the vision you had for Still Here?
‘Still Here?’ was created in a very organic way. I asked friends from the BPD community to answer the question “What makes your life worth living?” in a voice note. Their genuine unscripted answers were included in the film.
Acting-wise, as I was the main actress, I focused on showing up authentically and openly, listening closely to the team’s input and guidance along the way.
How does Still Here? resonate with contemporary issues or conversations? What do you hope audiences take away from the film?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally, and around 90% of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental health condition. In this context, Still Here? offers a message of hope through a journey in and out of the depths of darkness.
I hope that the film will help audiences remember what makes their own lives worth living, especially in times of struggle. I also would love it to spark conversations about mental health in our communities, workplaces, and societies at large.
What was the most rewarding part of the entire filmmaking journey for you, from conception to completion?
The most rewarding part of the journey was to watch the film edited by Robert for the first time. Hearing everyone’s voices and seeing their stories illustrated on screen brought me to tears.
How did you approach the visual style and tone of the film? Were there any specific cinematic influences that helped shape the aesthetic of Still Here?
I was keen for the film to be atmospheric and authentic. Beyond that, I was very open to ideas and delighted for Robert to bring in his expertise and influence. In his own words:
“I’m a big fan of ‘less is more’ and one of my all time favourite scenes is by Jean-Luc Godard (in ‘Two Or Three Things I Know About Her): the universe in a cup of coffee, yet we only see about three shots in total.
The intention in ‘Still Here?’ was to try to be with and within the character of the story, hearing what she hears, seeing what she sees…and having imagery that adds to the narrative in a lateral and not literal or necessarily linear way.
It’s been said the film has echoes of Agnes Varda‘s ‘Cleo from 9 to 5′ in the way we follow one person’s experience within a specific timeframe and that the voice messages of hope recall the seen/unseen angels in Wim Wenders‘ ‘Wings of Desire’ which I’ll take very happily!”
As a filmmaker, what’s next for you after Still Here? Do you have any upcoming projects or plans you’re excited about?
That’s a great question. I don’t have a very defined idea just yet, but I’d love to work with Robert on another short! We’re talking about filming something around the topic of identity ‘Who am I?’. I’m also really keen to start writing a play about mental health and the transformative journey recovery can be. And, I’m going to continue writing lyrics for XSIV and working on my next book: “Living on the Borderline: A BPD Recovery Diary” for which I’m actively looking for a literary agent or publisher.
Anything else you would like to add?
Just a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this project from the first to the last team. I hope it will help those who also find themselves in the depths of darkness, reminding us all that life is worth living.
Where can people view Still Here? Are there any upcoming screenings or platforms where it will be available?
Little Venice Film Festival tickets (London, 26 October 2024)
Access to Lift-Off New Voices Film Festival (Online, open until 20 October 2024)
Access to This is my Brace Australia Film Festival (Online, open until 27 October 2024):
Hopefully, we will be selected for more upcoming film festivals as we have applied to a dozen, so fingers crossed and watch this space!
Co-Director and Actress: Solène Anglaret
Instagram: @bebeyondborders
LinkedIn: Solène Anglaret
Co-Director: Robert Crampton
Instagram: @the_stanley_studio
LinkedIn: Robert Crampton
Video Editor: Isaac Harvey
Instagram: @iamisaacharvey
LinkedIn: Isaac Harvey
London Shooting Day Assistance: Emma Hames
Instagram: @emjadehames
LinkedIn: Emma Hames
Where to Next? – Travel memoir
Where Are You From? – Children’s story
Where? – Poetry in English
Pensées d’Ailleurs? – Poetry in French
Mindful Emotions – Colouring printable book
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