As a psychoanalyst, I have had the opportunity to use my analytic skills to move outside of the office and make documentary films that have reached many people worldwide. Like a psychoanalytic session, the documentary interview lends itself to the potential for great intimacy; a safe place can be created leaving the interviewee with a sense of really being heard and attended to, and under the best of circumstances, it can help them become more open and curious about themselves. Unlike a therapy session, these stories end up being seen by many with the hopes that something can be gained by watching.

 

The beauty of the documentary is that it allows the personal to become public. My films tend to focus on individuals dealing with their internal conflicts and processes. By seeing these people on a big screen, audiences can often identify with them, but from a secure distance. As a result of these “me, not me” identifications, viewers have been curious about their own stories.

 

There can be a tension between making a good documentary and being true to the integrity of the interview. I rebel against generalizations and conclusions and do not want to tie everything up neatly at the end.  Ultimately I think staying true to each person’s conflict is what drives my process and organizes my films.

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Thank you for your interest and support.

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Victoria Mills, Director

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