Using a teddy bear as a stand-in for themself, a director espouses candidly about their depressive episodes.
CAST & CREW
Director
Erin Macpherson
Cast
Erin Macpherson | Helen Sherriff | Davina Maria
Santwana Bayaskar | Lesia Diak
DOP
Erin Macpherson
AC
Giorgi Parkosadze | Violena Ampudia
Sound Recordist
Erin Macpherson
Researcher
Liselotte van de Sande | Tara Macpherson
Production Assistant
Liselotte van de Sande | Davina Maria
Editor
Erin Macpherson
Sound Mix
Aurélien Lebourg | La Notte Studios
Colour Grading
Erin Macpherson
SPECIFICATIONS
Project Type
Docu-Fiction Short
Genre
Portrait Film | Drama | Comedy
Runtime
17.30 min
Country of Origin
Belgium | South Africa | Portugal | Hungary
Language
English
Shooting Format
Digital
Aspect Ratio
2.33.1
Film Colour
Colour
World Premiere
Tampere Film Festival, Finland
Release Year
2023
Produced in association with the Joint M.F.A. programme, Doc Nomads
TRAILER
REVIEWS
JURY REVIEW FOR THE BEST SHORT FILM AUDIENCE AWARD:
DokuBaku Film Festival
The film is a creative mix of autobiographical documentary, fictional treatment and puppet animation. It tackles the heavy topic of depression with self-irony, making it easier for the audience to connect with the subject in an honest and refreshing way. The puppet character adds a sense of innocence and nostalgia, reminding us of childhood. By projecting their self-image into the puppet, the filmmaker encourages us to reflect on the inner child, while showing how fiction can make it easier to share and talk about personal struggles.
YOUTH JURY FOR THE BEST SHORT FILM AWARD:
International Short Film Week Regensburg
The illness of depression affects people from all social and cultural backgrounds and is
therefore a cross-societal issue. With the film “I did not wake up dead today”, filmmaker Erin
Macpherson processes their own experiences autobiographically and wins the award. They
approach the topics of depression and suicide sensitively and empathetically. Like many
of us, Erinbear struggles through situations everyone knows: taking therapy sessions,
dating, talking to family on the phone, swinging in the playground, dancing in the club. The
turquoise teddy does not move his lips. The focus lies on the voice behind the camera. The
voice that laughs, that cries, that breaks. All scenes are characterized by a cool, tense
atmosphere, which is repeatedly dispersed by comical and absurd moments. At the same
time, the film does not forget to comfort. At no point does it repress the underlying
challenges and problematic issues: It always reminds us of the constant presence of
loneliness. The story is immediately moving and turns us into silent observers: we all
become part of the “Constant battle”.
therefore a cross-societal issue. With the film “I did not wake up dead today”, filmmaker Erin
Macpherson processes their own experiences autobiographically and wins the award. They
approach the topics of depression and suicide sensitively and empathetically. Like many
of us, Erinbear struggles through situations everyone knows: taking therapy sessions,
dating, talking to family on the phone, swinging in the playground, dancing in the club. The
turquoise teddy does not move his lips. The focus lies on the voice behind the camera. The
voice that laughs, that cries, that breaks. All scenes are characterized by a cool, tense
atmosphere, which is repeatedly dispersed by comical and absurd moments. At the same
time, the film does not forget to comfort. At no point does it repress the underlying
challenges and problematic issues: It always reminds us of the constant presence of
loneliness. The story is immediately moving and turns us into silent observers: we all
become part of the “Constant battle”.
THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES
The short, "I Did Not Wake Up Dead Today" (April 27 at 12pm at Marina Theatre) by non-binary director Erin Macpherson, features a teddy bear (playing the director) talking about their depression. "I am not eating, not sleeping, not thinking, not feeling," Erinbear says in a visit with their therapist. They feel like crying all the time. As they have a bike accident, talk with their mother, and go on a date (with a taxidermist, no less), they grapple with their thoughts about suicide. Macpherson's short is perceptive in its expression of their depression.
LETTERBOXD
This film really resonated with me much more than others have in the past. The use of a teddy bear instead of an actual person is probably what did it for me; it made the watcher be able to put anyone in the position of Erinbear.
A sweet and kind spirited story about a dark topic.
SPECIAL MENTION JURY PRIZE:
Modena ViaEmilia DokFest
For the delicacy totally free from rhetoric, not without irony and capable of stimulating questions, with which the director tackles the taboo topic of depression and suicide.And for the skill with which they construct the documentary using the language of a fiction film, except farunexpectedly breaking in reality through the unexpected embrace that replaces the avatar with the person.