Releasing Lori: Poetry on Self-Mutilation

March 29, 2008 · Filed Under Art & Creativity ·

Self-mutilation is often not given the serious attention it demands; it is often chalked up to teenage angst or a person seeking attention, which is far from the truth.

Self-mutilation has become a major public health concern and affects a large variety of people including men and women ranging from teenagers to adults; although about 75% of self-mutilators are girls and women. It is estimated that 0.75% of the general American population practices self-mutilation.

There are many forms of self-mutilation, such as cutting, burning, hitting, bruising, biting, pulling or picking at skin and pulling one’s own hair. There are many causes of self-mutilation, such as the result of strong negative emotions and feeling the need for the outside to represent the inside of one’s self as well as technique for triggering the body’s biochemical responses to pain.

Those who self-mutilate often find comfort in the arts, such as writing poetry in order to rid themselves of their emotions and what drives them to commit such acts to themselves.

Here is another short film by filmmaker Dany Nieves, whom I’ve featured on this website once before with Alison’s Cycle.

Releasing Lori is another short film from Nieves with poetry by Alison Floersch, read by Lori Beaty. It speaks about the painful truths revolving around those who self-mutilate and the emotions behind it. It is a must-see film for those who currently or have self-mutilated in the past as well as for anyone who has been affected by it or just want to know more about this public health crisis.

Tags: Alison Floersch, burning, cutting, Dany Nieves, depression, Lori Beaty, poetry, self-mutilation

Alison’s Cycle

February 28, 2008 · Filed Under Art & Creativity ·

I received an email from filmmaker Dany Nieves this morning telling me about a new, (nearly) five minute short film called Alison’s Cycle. Alison’s Cycle is a series of five poems that tell a story of heartbreak, past abuse and overcoming tribulations in order to become a woman that she loves being and in the process, urging others to embrace themselves as they are and nothing less.

“Alison’s Cycle” is a reading of poetry from inside of the soul that reflects 5 days in a woman’s cycle. Emotional outpouring from past memories and childish doubts. Expressions of emotions bottled inside released in an artistic film. Alison Floersch opens her thoughts of past hates and coping with tormenting memories [and] child abuse issues.”

Check it out!