It truly is a different world. I'm in another chapter - we are all in another place. There is tension, there are characters, the plot thickens....
Smiley.....
What did the writer say when he accidentally super-glued himself to his book?
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The story continues…..
***********
While I was creating art at Clifton Studios and teaching art at St. Aidans Christian School in 2016 - a photographer, Mr. Andrew Wall of “Refuge31” asked my permission to follow me around with the idea of creating a documentary of me and the ceramic art I was creating. I thought he was wasting his time but he did that for about two and a half years.
The result was a huge surprise. He put together a documentary film called “Suspended, the Art of Forgiveness.” It came out in 2018 and has been shown at numerous film festivals in the US and Canada - and can you believe it even won awards! That is something I never expected or even thought of doing! A huge thank you to Andrew, you are a miracle worker!
This amazing documentary premiered on June 18, 2018 - at Jubilee Place (173 Talbot) 7 PM.
Here is an article that introduced the video.
SUSPENDED is a new documentary from Refuge 31 Film. The film follows Cliff Derksen through the final trial of his daughter's accused killer, highlighting the family’s emotions, strength, and faith.
Andrew Wall, the founder of Refuge 31 Films, wrote and directed the documentary. He had the chance to step into Cliff's life during what he believes is the final chapter of the Candace Derksen murder case.
"It's a long story with a lot of pain, especially for the family," Wall said.
Wall has been in contact with the Derksen's since 1984 when Candace Derksen was taken while walking home from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (MBCI). Her body was found almost two months later.
The documentarian approached Wilma four years ago, hoping to tell one last story. Wilma was writing a book and wasn't able to be followed, but suggested that Wall follow Cliff instead.
"Wilma is the storyteller, she's become the face of this all," Wall explained. "She felt that Cliff's side had never been told, and his pain."
So Wall started following Cliff and seeing how he poured all his emotions into his artwork. He would join Cliff in his studio and saw an open, more vulnerable side of him that wasn't often shown in public.
"His anger, the mystery of what's gone on, the suspicions, he's poured it all into his art."
For two years, Wall worked with Cliff and had worked out the entire documentary. It was the story of Cliff now knowing that the killer, Mark Edward Grant, was put away for life. Wall said he didn't have to go into details of the case, which he was good with.
The original plan was to stop before the retrial. Wall believed it would just confirm what they already knew. But they decided to wait, which took over nine months as the judge thought about his verdict. In October 2017, Mark Edward Grant was found not guilty, which was a shock to those who knew the Derksen's.
"When he was acquitted, that changed the whole doc and I had to go back to the drawing board," Wall remembered. "Wilma came up afterwards and said 'oh no, what does this do to your documentary?'"
Wall says that was a perfect reminder of how battle-hardened and caring the Derksen's were. The documentary was reworked, including the details of the case, which Wall believes has made it a stronger story.
The documentary will be shown at Jubilee Place, part of MBCI, on Monday, June 18, 7:00 p.m. Cliff will be there with some of his artwork and Steve Bell will perform a song of remembrance for Candace. There are also opportunities to donate to the newly established Candace House.
Wall is excited to show the documentary and hopes it will bring hope to people, just like it did to him.
"(Cliff) is probably one of the most memorable subjects I've worked with," Wall admitted. "Every time I walked away, my soul was replenished,"
While the case remains unsolved, the Derksen's have expressed their hope that this will be the final chapter of the saga.
******
Andrew gave me so much more than just a video – he gave me his undivided attention, artistic, expert photography and story telling attention. It was a true gift.
There is an agony in creating in isolation even in living in isolation with no one to value what you are doing.
Now to have a camera following me – was in itself healing.
It was with a very keen, experienced eye observing my every move, listening to my words and recording it for an unseen audience. I was no longer alone; Andrew Wall was behind it – and the promise of future viewers was as powerful as the camera operator.
Bearing witness is a term often used in psychology that refers to sharing our experiences with others, most notably in the communication to others of traumatic experiences.
This is so important to everyone. Although the human experience is certainly universal, it contains unique elements for each us.
Validation communicates acceptance. Humans have a need to belong and feeling accepted is calming.
Validation helps the person know they are on the right track. Life can be confusing and difficult.
Validation builds deeper understanding. Human beings are limited in what they can see, hear and understand. We need others to help interpret us as to who we are.
Validation shows us that we are important.
Validation also shows us that others are there for us. It keeps the fears in check.
Validation is the recognition and acceptance of another person’s uniqueness and their internal experience as being valid. In other words, I was being validated – as an artist.
My poor artist soul was healing.
Smiley.....
What did the writer say when he accidentally super-glued himself to his book?
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
The story continues…..
***********
While I was creating art at Clifton Studios and teaching art at St. Aidans Christian School in 2016 - a photographer, Mr. Andrew Wall of “Refuge31” asked my permission to follow me around with the idea of creating a documentary of me and the ceramic art I was creating. I thought he was wasting his time but he did that for about two and a half years.
The result was a huge surprise. He put together a documentary film called “Suspended, the Art of Forgiveness.” It came out in 2018 and has been shown at numerous film festivals in the US and Canada - and can you believe it even won awards! That is something I never expected or even thought of doing! A huge thank you to Andrew, you are a miracle worker!
This amazing documentary premiered on June 18, 2018 - at Jubilee Place (173 Talbot) 7 PM.
Here is an article that introduced the video.
SUSPENDED is a new documentary from Refuge 31 Film. The film follows Cliff Derksen through the final trial of his daughter's accused killer, highlighting the family’s emotions, strength, and faith.
Andrew Wall, the founder of Refuge 31 Films, wrote and directed the documentary. He had the chance to step into Cliff's life during what he believes is the final chapter of the Candace Derksen murder case.
"It's a long story with a lot of pain, especially for the family," Wall said.
Wall has been in contact with the Derksen's since 1984 when Candace Derksen was taken while walking home from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (MBCI). Her body was found almost two months later.
The documentarian approached Wilma four years ago, hoping to tell one last story. Wilma was writing a book and wasn't able to be followed, but suggested that Wall follow Cliff instead.
"Wilma is the storyteller, she's become the face of this all," Wall explained. "She felt that Cliff's side had never been told, and his pain."
So Wall started following Cliff and seeing how he poured all his emotions into his artwork. He would join Cliff in his studio and saw an open, more vulnerable side of him that wasn't often shown in public.
"His anger, the mystery of what's gone on, the suspicions, he's poured it all into his art."
For two years, Wall worked with Cliff and had worked out the entire documentary. It was the story of Cliff now knowing that the killer, Mark Edward Grant, was put away for life. Wall said he didn't have to go into details of the case, which he was good with.
The original plan was to stop before the retrial. Wall believed it would just confirm what they already knew. But they decided to wait, which took over nine months as the judge thought about his verdict. In October 2017, Mark Edward Grant was found not guilty, which was a shock to those who knew the Derksen's.
"When he was acquitted, that changed the whole doc and I had to go back to the drawing board," Wall remembered. "Wilma came up afterwards and said 'oh no, what does this do to your documentary?'"
Wall says that was a perfect reminder of how battle-hardened and caring the Derksen's were. The documentary was reworked, including the details of the case, which Wall believes has made it a stronger story.
The documentary will be shown at Jubilee Place, part of MBCI, on Monday, June 18, 7:00 p.m. Cliff will be there with some of his artwork and Steve Bell will perform a song of remembrance for Candace. There are also opportunities to donate to the newly established Candace House.
Wall is excited to show the documentary and hopes it will bring hope to people, just like it did to him.
"(Cliff) is probably one of the most memorable subjects I've worked with," Wall admitted. "Every time I walked away, my soul was replenished,"
While the case remains unsolved, the Derksen's have expressed their hope that this will be the final chapter of the saga.
******
Andrew gave me so much more than just a video – he gave me his undivided attention, artistic, expert photography and story telling attention. It was a true gift.
There is an agony in creating in isolation even in living in isolation with no one to value what you are doing.
Now to have a camera following me – was in itself healing.
It was with a very keen, experienced eye observing my every move, listening to my words and recording it for an unseen audience. I was no longer alone; Andrew Wall was behind it – and the promise of future viewers was as powerful as the camera operator.
Bearing witness is a term often used in psychology that refers to sharing our experiences with others, most notably in the communication to others of traumatic experiences.
This is so important to everyone. Although the human experience is certainly universal, it contains unique elements for each us.
Validation communicates acceptance. Humans have a need to belong and feeling accepted is calming.
Validation helps the person know they are on the right track. Life can be confusing and difficult.
Validation builds deeper understanding. Human beings are limited in what they can see, hear and understand. We need others to help interpret us as to who we are.
Validation shows us that we are important.
Validation also shows us that others are there for us. It keeps the fears in check.
Validation is the recognition and acceptance of another person’s uniqueness and their internal experience as being valid. In other words, I was being validated – as an artist.
My poor artist soul was healing.
“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.”
– Georgia O’Keeffe
– Georgia O’Keeffe
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