Raw Visions

Inspirational artists emerge from ‘Raw Visions’

by Kristen Buckley

          The Long Beach Public Library recently screened “Raw Visions: Art of Survival”, a vibrant documentary directed by international filmmaker and Bellmore resident Leslye Abbey. “Raw Visions,” filmed from 2002 to 2011 and made by Abbey’s own production company Snowflake Video Productions, presents a mosaic of inspiring individuals who have used art to overcome personal struggles and face their inner demons. The film also showcases the Survivor’s Art Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps empower victims of trauma by providing them artistic outlets and promoting exhibitions to display their talent and work.

          The strength of the piece comes from its wide variety of people, traumas, and expressions of artistic mediums. Every person presented in the documentary shows that suffering can either be inherent or received but it all must be conquered. Matt Sesow had been hit by an airplane when he was a child and lost half of his left arm as a result. He channels his raw emotions into simple but powerful paintings that resemble child-like and primitive cave drawings. Other times he’ll use art to reflect his own condition by giving his subject the same amputation that he has. Danny Kean is a musician who was born completely blind. According to him, music helped give him a purpose and an identity that was more than just the “blind guy”.

          Bobby Seeback had been relentlessly bombarded with medical calamities that include Hodgkin’s disease, a stem cell transplant, a complete breakdown of his immune system, and a heart transplant. Needless to say, he is lucky to be alive and in good shape. He and other musicians got together to form the Transplant Band in order to get the word out on organ donation. Seeback said that music helped him take his mind off his numerous medical treatments and surgeries.

          Finally, the most colorful character in this collection was Michael Kanarek, an artist who specializes in stylized pornographic drawings that focus on sexual voyeurism and distortion. He uses art to deal with his issues about his adoption and alcoholism on top of regularly seeing a therapist every week.

          The common thread that tied the whole film together was the healing power of art in all of its many forms. For all of these people, art acted as a powerful form of catharsis and release of negative feelings that proved to be extremely therapeutic. This kind of expression allows one to explore their own emotions and experiences and show them to others so that they can be better understood. They used art to alleviate their suffering and find peace.

For more information about Leslye’s work, visit her website at http://www.snowflakevideo.com/   To learn more about the Survivors Art Foundation, visit their official website at http://www.survivorsartfoundation.org/
 

How did you get a distributor for Raw Visions?

          Films media Group AKA Films for the Humanities and Sciences answered a query after months and asked to send three of my documentaries. I said that they should look at two of my new pieces. They did and wanted Raw Visions.

Is it normally difficult for films to get distributed?

          Getting distribution is frustrating and sketchy. Then one needs to be really careful as many companies are shysters and will take every penny.

How was Snowflake Video Productions founded?

          I was traveling to many countries taking good photos and several times was told to begin filming. Finally in 1997 I bought my first video camera and went to India. There I filmed “Dharamsala/Tibet in Exile,” which won the Humanitarian award in 1998 at LIIFE. The rest is history.

In what ways do you get funding for your projects?

I am self funded. I did get three monetary gifts for “Raw Visions,” which was a godsend.

Have any of your other films gotten distribution? If so, which one(s) and how?

          “Tibet in Exile,” “Show Dogs,” “Let the Good Times Roll,” “The Return” and, currently “Angel of The Basin” and “Experiencing Aging” “Raw Visions” is being accepted by FMG( Films Media Group). I consider myself very blessed.

Do you have any advice for filmmakers who are looking for distributes?

<          Follow your dreams and persevere! Keep on doing!