The starting point for this documentary is an idea I had long before starting the “Future Capital” project with Loredana Dicsi, my colleague. Our project was called “Young VIP in Action” and was intended for VIP youth in the Walloon Region and Brussels to find out about the opportunities provided by the Youth in Action programme. For this purpose, we designed a PowerPoint presentation, leaflets in large print or in Braille, we even adapted the User's Guide in Braille and in electronic format and finally, we made a film.
“Another point of view” tells the story of Vanessa, a young Italian during her EVS in Belgium. It's the 12-minute-testimony of a young blind with striking determination, who develops her own project in the EVS frame. The main purpose is to promote the EVS projects to VI youth. An EVS involves travelling to a foreign country, adapt to this new way of life and become independent but most of all, by volunteering, they trade in roles, from the one who needs help, they become the one who provides it. This is an empowering tool for VIP, creating a sense of self-value and self-confidence.
You are introduced to Vanessa but she could be any one of us. She spends four months and a half in Belgium, experiencing all sorts of changes which will help her personal growth and give her a bright new perspective on (her) life.
This was a fantastic learning experience, not just in that I had to write a script, hold a camera, the editing, i.e. to choose between what stays, schedule filming periods, basically I learnt how to make a film. This is only the technical aspect of it. Most importantly, I have seen the everyday life of a blind person, all the obstacles she has to face.
I am extremely grateful to have met Vanessa and that she agreed to participate to this film. I wish that by seeing this, other VI youth will come to realize that the EVS, like any other activity, is also accessible to them and that they will seek to experience this at least once in their lifetime!
One day at the end of January 2007, I receive an email from Anca. She had a new project in mind: inform the visually impaired youth of the opportunities that the Youth in Action programme offers them. How best to do it? A movie! Yes! Making a movie on my EVS experience…I very rarely say no to anything but this! I instantly agreed to do it and that's how our adventure began. My task was simple, go on with my everyday life in Belgium, hers was to film all of it; at home, with the children, my travels…you'll see it! I'll never forget the experience. Anca would call me all the time to arrange filming but it was not tiring. What's more, I shared her conviction on the importance of showing VI youth what EVS can do for us! True, Anca and I won't walk on the red carpet for the Oscars night, but after watching this, I hope, lots of VI will follow on our footsteps and try this incredible experience!
This film shows what EVS is all about: learning a new language, to volunteer, make new friends, have fun and first of all, to discover a new culture. In no more than 12 minutes, Anca has captured the essence of this experience, evoked memories for those who have had the chance to live it and inspired those who haven't yet.
I was delighted to (re)discover my own city and neighborhood through Vanessa's eyes, from a different perspective. I have thoroughly enjoyed this film. My only regret: Vanessa's harmonious accent.
I wish to thank every person and institution who gave me their support throughout these 9 months filming “Another point of view”:
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Anca David