And we ask: to what extent are we all shaped by experiences and influences of which we’re not even conscious? And: if we’re not conscious of these experiences, how can we protect ourselves from them?
“I’d never shot a gun before.”
Director’s Statement
This is the first film of an intended series of films (or episodes) on the theme of protection. The three separate narratives revolve around an instance of violence and an adult male’s reaction to it.
The ability to protect is expected of men and those expectations contribute to much of the anxiety that make up one aspect of the male identity. The fear and paranoia of never wanting to appear defensive fosters a constant and dangerous offensive guard in some men. These films are about those men.
Violence is absurd, but it is also a conceptually purifying, and certainly inevitable force. Addressing the topic is a move towards acceptance and possibly, understanding.
