Moving Like Pond Water honors the creative healing power within each of us.
Is it possible to go to war and come back mentally sound? Moving Like Pond Water asks this question, among many others, through stories shared, some for the first time, by Veterans and active military. They are gut wrenching stories of war, art, humanity and redemption.
The film's title is military jargon for moving slowly. In context of the film, it references social change, highlighting the importance of patience, persistence, and collective action in effecting meaningful transformation.
The film team's collective vision is to create ripples of change by encouraging public engagement and community projects to use art as a healing tool working with survivors moving past feelings of isolation and living in the powerful grip PTSD.
My connection to Veteran communities and access to the film project's content is embedded in my DNA.My father was in the Marine Corp and my mother in the Navy, they met during their active service in WWII. When the war ended both were honorably discharged. My dad was called back to serve in the Korean Conflict and mom stayed home to take care of their infant daughter -me. When dad returned from Korea and back to civilian life, home life was not easy. He was in constant pain from shrapnel, small pieces of metal from a weapon explosion, embedded in his left leg during combat that could not be surgically removed. This was before PTSD had a name and problems at home were never discussed in public. Dad passed away at the age of 65 from a massive heart attack. Mom is 99 years-old and was recently honored in Washington, DC for her military service. This is my story to tell. It is a story of shared experiences and a collective pondering on how we, alone and collectively, set out on a quest to live a good life.
It is good to note that I worked for over 20-years as an artist/arts activist with national and local nonprofit organizations producing programs using art as a healing tool with adults and children who are survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual abuse, and Veterans dealing with PTSD. ~ Cheryl Bookout
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