Lily

As I've matured, I've found myself becoming more and more interested in documentary films. There is just something about the act of observing that I really enjoy. I could spend and entire day, just sitting and people watching. It fascinates me. Each little nuance, everyone's individual movements, routines, characteristics.

You can learn a lot about someone from just watching. And that's what most good documentaries are. They pull the curtain back and just let you look into another person's world. So when I stumbled across the following short form documentary, I became mesmerized. It goes completely against everything I just said. Sure, as the viewer you watch. It begins with just images of Jamestown. Of trees, houses, abandoned buildings, railroad tracks, but as the piece continues, Lily begins to narrate moments of her life. Telling us stories of her younger years, as she grew up, of trials and tribulations. Yet - the most interesting thing is, we as viewers see very little of her. Just the occasional glimpse. So we begin to form a picture of who she is on our own - unbiased of physical attributes. But as it goes on, we begin to slowly see her. Just little flashes. Legs, some hair, her arm. It peaks your curiosity, leaving you wanting more. And as time goes on, the images, as random as they first seemed, soon begin to carry meaning.

I don't think I've never felt like I've known someone more after four minutes than I did after this piece.

LILY from david m. helman on Vimeo.

And what I think is wonderful about this piece is right at the end. We, the audience, get a reveal. For just a few seconds we're shown Lily's face and it's a salvation. We're finally allowed to put a face to the voice that we've been growing attached too for the last couple minutes. And to be totally honest, she sounds like a wonderful lady. Down to earth, honest, level-headed, with a positive outlook on life. I also realized I was so transfixed on her voice, her stories, and the images of her town, I didn't even notice her arm. I completely glossed over it because it wasn't at all pertinent to who she is as a person.

And let's not forget how beautiful the footage is. Slightly washed out, grainy, and raw. It sets the mood of the piece as much as Lily's narration.

Absolutely powerful stuff.