Films exploring grief, loss, bereavement
Films are such an important mode of comprehension and communication in this crazy thing we call life (and death). From a very young age, we watch, listen, cry, laugh, ponder and connect over moving image.
Steven Ryder, a film curator friend of mine, has pulled together an extensive (but growing!) list of films on Letterboxd that explore the topic of Left Behind: Grief, grieving, loss and bereavement. Whether you’re ‘into film’ or not, check it out and see if there are any recommendations that spark a curiosity within you.
Without wanting to give away too many spoilers, you’ll find:
This important theme explored through chills and thrills, e.g. Don’t Look Now, Magnolia and Old
Classics such as Bambi, Stand By Me and Rebecca
Uncomfortable but enriching experiences like Melancholia, Midsommar and Birth
Kid-friendly offerings including Up, Song of the Sea and My Neighbour Totoro
… and more.
Steven says: “I put the list together in the hope that it would show people that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Film is a wonderful example of showing us how differently we perceive love and loss.”
I’ve also written about certain films that have impacted on my musings on Mum’s death, the hole it’s left in my life, and how my bereavement has forced me into a stronger position, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
Check out the posts Missed milestones or seized moments? (reflecting on Richard Linklater’s Boyhood), A Monster Calls (unearthing the transformative power of crying in public over a film) and My mother’s deathbed (a meditation on Mum’s final moments, prompted by a multimedia performance about end of life care).
What films have you watched that evoked an emotional response on the theme of loss, grieving and bereavement? What was your reaction to your reaction? Did you learn anything new about yourself and your experience?
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