ARE YOU THERE?

"Are You There?" is a captivating documentary film by director Maartje Nevejan that explores the enigmatic world of absence epilepsy. The film, also known by its original Dutch title "Ik ben er even niet," delves into the director's personal experiences with absence seizures as a child and her son's similar diagnosis.

Nevejan's documentary takes viewers on a journey through the complex landscape of consciousness, challenging long-held scientific beliefs about absence epilepsy. For centuries, medical science has described these episodes as moments of unconsciousness, mere short circuits in the brain. However, Nevejan's film suggests a far more nuanced and profound reality.

The film follows four young adults as they navigate their experiences with absence epilepsy, collaborating with artists to give form to their inner worlds. Through this unique approach, Nevejan demonstrates that these moments of "absence" are not simply voids, but potentially rich experiences that exist beyond our conventional understanding of consciousness.

"Are You There?" incorporates a diverse array of perspectives, featuring encounters with neurologists, scientists, and artists. The film also explores intriguing parallels with natural phenomena and artistic concepts, such as wild wolves, black holes, and Anish Kapoor's ultra-black pigment. These elements serve to illustrate the multifaceted nature of absence experiences and their potential to open new avenues of perception and understanding.

Nevejan's work raises profound questions about the nature of reality, consciousness, and human experience. It challenges viewers to consider how these inner experiences might be communicated and understood, and whether the "holes" created by absence seizures might actually serve as portals to new forms of knowledge.

The documentary has received critical acclaim, earning an Emmy nomination and winning the InScience Student Jury Award. It stands as a testament to the power of art and personal narrative in reshaping our understanding of neurological conditions and the human mind.

"Are You There?" invites audiences to contemplate the mysterious depths of human consciousness, suggesting that even in moments of apparent absence, there may be profound presence and meaning to be discovered..

Writer and director: Maartje Nevejan
Director of photography: Jean Counet
Sound: Fokke van Saane
Editor: Gys Zevenbergen
Sound designer: Fokke van Saane & Alex Booy
Composer: Alex Simu
Commissioning editor: Barbara Truyen, VPRO
Producers: Willemijn Cerutti for Cerutti Film

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