Forgotten Film Spotlight

Today’s film spotlight focuses on the short film Forgotten directed by Mawrgan Shaw as part of the Pendance Film Festival.

What is the title of your film and what inspired said title?

Forgotten. The title was inspired by interviews conducted with elderly residents of long-term care and how often they talked about feeling like they had been forgotten and abandoned by both their loved ones and the wider community.

Tell us a little bit about the story and origins of your film.

Offering a window into the isolation the elderly face when living alone, ‘Forgotten’ is a timely exploration of loneliness.

I was moved to make this film against the backdrop of the pandemic and the growing criticisms of Canada and Australia’s response to keeping the elderly safe during this time. While the effort to shield the elderly from coronavirus was commendable, both countries inadvertently created another wrenching health crisis. Locking older people in their rooms for safety was done largely without thinking about the unintended consequences until it was too late.

Even prior to the pandemic, elderly people expressed increasing feelings of loneliness and diminishing personal integrity after entering long term care. With different levels of mental acuity, some residents didn’t fully grasp why family had stopped visiting, assuming their loved ones were choosing not to come, suffering great emotional distress. For many already diagnosed with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, isolation rapidly increased the severity of symptoms. It has become so significant that ‘social isolation’ is now being listed as a contributing cause of death in some residents of long-term care.

It is my hope that this film helps people to consider the experiences of a group of people we aren’t often asked to empathize with. I want to encourage people to reflect on the ways in which we can improve outcomes for the elderly, especially those in long-term care.

Any films or filmmakers that inspired this film?

None directly – however, all the independent animators here in Toronto, as well as everyone I connect with online are a constant source of inspiration.

What is the goal of the film for you?

To connect with people. If even just one person watches it and feels moved, then it’s achieved its goal.

What has the journey been like getting the film into production?

As an independent animator, I’m responsible for every step of the process. So while getting the film into production is relatively straight-forward, however having the time to make the film while working full-time and having the funds to put into my art – equipment, studio rental time etc is a real challenge. When it’s something you feel passionate about though, you find a way.

One thing you learned from this project?

Every step of this project was a learning curve! There were techniques I’d never tried before that I implemented, which were amazing and challenging. I’d never attempted to share a film as widely as this one which has been an amazing experience and I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity for my film to be seen by as many people as it has been.

How can folks find you and your film online?

Website – https://www.mawrganshaw.com

Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/mawrganshawca

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mawrshaw_art

Any last pieces of advice for fellow filmmakers?

If you have something you’re proud of it, share it with the world. Just one person connecting with it can make all the difference – both to them, and to you.

The Pendance Film Festival runs from March 10-13, 2022.

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