Filmmaker Strives for Raw, Respectful Portrayals of Disability, Navigates Funding & Family Trust
Brussels - Documentary filmmaker Sophie Marie harel discusses the challenges and rewards of creating intimate films centered on disability, emphasizing the lengthy process of building trust with families and the difficulties in securing funding for such projects. Harel’s work prioritizes a “height of eyes” viewpoint, aiming for raw and respectful representation.
She recounts a painful experience where a single-parent family withdrew from a three-month filming project during post-production, fearing negative judgment from neighbors regarding their son’s behavioral challenges linked to his disability. “It was a blow,” Harel admits, “But I understand that families, already weakened by their daily life, wish to protect themselves.”
Despite these hurdles, Harel notes her films have consistently received funding and positive reception from selection committees, describing them as “my babies.” She values festivals like The Extraordinary Film Festival for their quality selection and broad audience reach, contrasting them with events limited to those directly affected by the subject matter.
Harel also acknowledges a competitive landscape within documentary filmmaking, lamenting a lack of support and solidarity among filmmakers, while praising the strong community among parents of disabled children.
Her current project, Mister Jack’s Extraordinary Trip, co-produced by Art and RTBF, is a docu-fiction detailing a journey with her son, Jack, from Brussels to Paris. Harel describes the experience as empowering for Jack,who participated by “playing” scenes and reciting lines,gaining an understanding of filmmaking in the process. She hopes it will “open doors” for him and other children with disabilities, believing their unique perspectives are valuable. She cites the Papotin interviews as an example of the power of these voices.