Awareness Film Festival - Labyrinth Journeys
Labyrinth Journeys presents the stories of adults, teenagers, and children who use seven Washington, D.C. area labyrinths as tools for healing, rehabilitation, meditation, stress reduction, spiritual awareness and playful exploration.
Interview with Writer/Producer Cintia Cabib
Watch Labyrinth Journeys on the film’s website
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Labyrinth Journeys reflects my interest in bringing to light spaces that provide individuals with healing, respite, renewal and a connection to nature. Through the film, I want to show how the labyrinth is used as tool for healing, rehabilitation, meditation, stress reduction, spiritual awareness, and playful exploration.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Many people do not know what a labyrinth is or confuse it with a maze. By watching the film, you will learn about this ancient pathway and symbol and its 4,000-year-old history, how prevalent labyrinths are, how they are used in a number of different settings, and how walking the labyrinth can have a transformative and powerful effect on people’s lives. You will also experience the beauty of the labyrinth and see how each labyrinth is unique in its design and setting.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The people who are featured in the film describe their personal journey on the labyrinth and why they are drawn to this pathway. A breast cancer survivor, an Iraq War veteran, an individual facing unemployment, a mother caring for her ill son, an office worker seeking a peaceful oasis during the work day, and two high school students dealing with the stresses of school are among the individuals who share their experiences of walking the labyrinth. These personal stories touch on universal themes of healing, transformation, health and well-being, and spirituality.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
During the production of the documentary, I unexpectedly met people who were key to the film. For example, when I filmed an event celebrating World Labyrinth Day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a service member walking the labyrinth caught my eye. I could see as I was filming her that she was overcome with emotions. It turned out that it was her first time walking a labyrinth and she was reflecting on her breast cancer diagnosis and her recovery. I had a similar experience when filming the monthly labyrinth walk at Washington National Cathedral. I filmed a man who appeared to be having a very powerful experience walking the labyrinth. When I interviewed him, he told me he was unemployed and had faced the possibility of becoming homeless. He was also walking the labyrinth for the first time and was hoping it would help him deal with the challenges he was facing. Often, the people that you just happen to meet during the production of a film turn out to be the most powerful voices in the piece.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Labyrinth Journeys premiered to a full house at Washington National Cathedral in May 2016. The audience was very receptive to the film and we had a wonderful discussion and Q & A after the screening with me and several individuals who are featured in the documentary. The documentary had its West Coast premiere at the Awareness Film Festival. I will be presenting Labyrinth Journeys at The Labyrinth Society’s annual conference in Houston in November and at several venues in the Washington, D.C. area. Many individuals, educational institutions and organizations have already purchased the film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has been very positive. People are amazed that there are so many labyrinths in existence and have told me that they have been very moved by the personal stories presented in the film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would like people to learn about the film and the power of the labyrinth. I hope that readers will purchase the film and will spread the word about Labyrinth Journeys.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am currently self-distributing the film. I would welcome more press coverage about the film and I hope the documentary will be shown at more film festivals.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would like the film to inspire and educate others about the labyrinth and to encourage people to use labyrinths in medical, educational, spiritual, work-related, or social settings.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
In an age when consumers are clamoring for the latest smartphones, tablets and apps, why are so many people drawn to a simple ancient pathway?
Would you like to add anything else?
If you would like to find a labyrinth near your town or city, visit the Worldwide Labyrinth Locator at www.labyrinthlocator.com. The film’s Web site also lists several labyrinth resources: www.labyrinthjourneysfilm.com
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently, I am working on the distribution of the film. I am also starting research on a new documentary which will show how music can help people with a wide range of medical problems and conditions.
Interview: October 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Labyrinth Journeys
Labyrinth Journeys presents the stories of adults, teenagers, and children who use seven Washington, D.C. area labyrinths as tools for healing, rehabilitation, meditation, stress reduction, spiritual awareness and playful exploration.
Length: 27 minutes
Director: Cintia Cabib
Producer: Cintia Cabib
About the writer, director and producer:
Producer and Director: Cintia Cabib is an independent producer, videographer and editor. Her documentaries have aired on public television and have been screened at numerous venues throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): journalists and film festival directors
Funders: self-financed
Release date: 2016