For the Connections We Make

Written back in December 2021

Film posters of the films ‘Pony’ by Candice Carella and ‘Feeling Through’ by Doug Roland

With 2021 approaching its end, various social media platforms from Spotify to Instagram gave us a gist of how this year went. For some works of art that I have encountered and made a lasting impression on me, I would like to share two short films entitled ‘Pony’ and ‘Feeling Through.’ I was trying to recall how I ended up watching these films, but all I remembered was that this was a random click while searching through my Youtube algorithm to look for something refreshing while having a break after work.

It’s tempting to summarize the plot of these two films, but I choose not to give any spoilers as this would ruin the experience of the precious warmth of these beautifully written stories that made me overflow my bottled up tears for several nights. These tears flowed from the realization and appreciation of the themes it both shared — cultivating connections in the unlikely. From the stories of the two films, I also noticed another plot it shared — how the unexpected encounter with one character led to the other characters’ reigniting of hope and purpose of the parched and weary soul. The convergence of divergent individuals marking the conclusion of both films truly makes these works satisfying for one on a deeper level of bringing it to the heart to draw upon more personal reflections in life.

I cried not of sadness but of gratitude that similar to the characters in both films, encounters with various individuals along the way in my life have also helped me shift my perspective to a more optimistic angle. While researching more about the inspirations behind one of the films I discussed here, the Oscar-nominated ‘Feeling Through,’ I learned that this was what its director and writer Doug Roland personally experienced too. Roland shared that the story of ‘Feeling Through’ was inspired by a chance encounter with Artemio, a deafblind man he met seven years ago.

Feeling Through’s director and writer, Doug Roland reunites with Artie, the deafblind man who was behind the inspiration of this film.

Learning more about the inspiration of this film plucked my heartstrings as it reminded me of one encounter in a jeepney while traveling alone. Oh, how I suddenly missed those travels before the pandemic! One afternoon back in 2019, the jeepney I was riding in had its stopover to fill in more passengers. A blind father walked up to ride the jeepney while being guided by his young daughter, so small in frame yet brave in holding his hands tightly to help him navigate. As the jeepney moved, I couldn’t help but smile while looking at these two. I can still vividly remember this encounter as it inspired me to type out a short poem entry in my Samsung J1Mini notes about this tandem. While finishing this writing, I tried to look for this artifact, and I am filled with frustration as I couldn’t locate this old phone of mine. Trying to make this as descriptive as possible, all I can remember from that short poem entry is that I wrote about a metaphor of how the daughter is the ‘eyes’ to the world of her blind father. Connecting this with ‘Feeling Through’s inspiration also made me realize that one’s existence can bring a massive impact to others and may even be an artist’s blueprint of a story to tell the world!

The diversity of each human’s background and personality never fails to perplex me. But from the works of film and storytelling shared here, I learned that each one’s existence may be someone’s precious chance encounter and precious connection that can create a shift in perspective, color a blank canvas of hope, and lift burdens of emotions. From the film ‘Pony,’ little Miko’s innocence warmed up the grunge heart of her uncle Jeff and in ‘Feeling Through,’ the encounter with the hopeful Artie refreshes Tereek’s drained youth.

Scenes from the films ‘Pony’ by Candice Carella and ‘Feeling Through’ by Doug Roland where the characters create their unlikely connections.

Before this ends, I encourage you to look back at all the chance encounters you had in your life. Maybe from those, you will see how one has motivated you to play that musical instrument, write that poetry in your notebook, pursue the hobby of exercising, speak more honestly about your thoughts and even be the better person you are today.

Thank you for reading!

To watch more of these films, here are the links:

‘Pony’: https://youtu.be/c0VPJWt_f0w

‘Feeling Through’: https://youtu.be/h1CqzntEZZ8

To learn more about the creative process and inspiration of the film ‘Feeling through’:

https://youtu.be/fq-DlHxPEBY