Cathartic Realism
Cathartic Realism is a film genre where artists tell the story of their personal traumas to find healing. The story told is personal to the survivor -- written, filmed and acted with the motivating factors of finding healing, understanding, growth, and ultimately catharsis. A take on the “true story” genre, Cathartic Realism allows artists to depict their truths - the way it felt to them, but with the empowerment that comes when you write your own ending.
The only way we can let it go is to feel it.
Winning is an important part of taking back your pain - winning over your trauma creates catharsis in a profoundly interesting and artistically bold way - finding the beauty in the brokenness to heal. By attempting to overcome through reclaiming trauma through storytelling, making the journey one that is extraordinary and immersive. Cathartic Realism is a film genre about solving things that leads us to a more enjoyable, and inspirational way to heal.
If we tell our story, we bring light to shame… and destroy it.
This not only creates an environment of having catharsis for the artist, but for the viewer as well. The viewer relates to the subject of internalized trauma, enabling them to feel they are not alone in their despair. Through the catharsis of the character on the screen, the audience can be hopeful that they too can find resolution.
The tenets of Cathartic Realism are 1.) the story was lived by the writer, and 2.) the piece is being written for the purposes of catharsis - and 3.) therefore the ending can be different. Lastly, 4.) film must be completed with the survivors healing in mind.
The Tenants of a Cathartic Realist Piece
1. The story is based on a true story - of the person that wrote it.
This genre is about empowering yourself with your pain, insecurities, and fears. Embracing them, instead of self-shaming. It’s important to understand that the very things we “hate” about our lives, and who we are as a result of these events, that is what makes us special and unique.
2. The story is being written for the purposes of catharsis.
The purpose of creating this type of art is to get catharsis of the authors trauma by creating a piece of art that allows them to tells their story that finds solution. Thus, creating therapeutic experience that allows you to create with your pain.
3. The ending can be different
By claiming the story, you get to win over your ending. Art is fantasy, and we can use that build up the part of you that needs to heal. The creation of the film works as an artistic processing mechanism that is done in the safe space of fellow artists.
4. The final fit reflects the survivor’s vision
Winning comes in the form of owning your story by showing the audience your version of the experience to shine a light on the things that cause us shame. You cannot do vulnerability alone - so we can’t do cathartic realism alone. We need to be more real with each other. Let’s do it together. All in. All of us. You are not alone.
How Cathartic Realism Works
Stage 1: The Writing Process
The purpose of creating this type of art is to get catharsis of the authors trauma by creating a piece of art that allows them to tell their story to find resolution. You have to write from your opinion, and from perspective of the other people that played a role in your trauma. By finding the motivation of those people as characters, you are able to finding forgiveness by way of understanding. You also get to take control of the ending by claiming your own story. You get to make your character the winner. Thus, creating therapeutic experience that allows you to create with your pain.
Stage 2: The Production Process
During the production, the survivor can have conversations that they would otherwise never be able to have. This gives you a chance to find your voice and be heard as you do it. Through the acting work done in the Chubbuck Technique along with the previous pieces of Cathartic Realism we have created, we have found that winning is an important part of taking back your pain. By attempting to overcome through reclaiming trauma through storytelling, we can find the beauty in our brokenness.
Stage 3: The Post-Production Process
We work hard in post to have all the edits, sound design, and other elements of post-production reflect how it felt to be in that moment. You own your story by showing the audience your version of the experience to shine a light on the things that cause us shame.
Stage 4: The Release
Upon release, there are two pools of people. We have fellow survivors, who open up to creating a community upon seeing the film. In the past, we have inspired silent survivors to open up and start their own healing journey. The second pool of people are those who have not experienced the trauma they witnessed on screen. We provide those people with a new understanding of this trauma.