D is for Distance
Showtimes
British cult director Christopher “Chris” Petit has tested the limits of cinema in various genres. His debut Radio On (1979) stands out in the history of English cinema, combining an experimental road movie narrative à la Wim Wenders with the biggest pop hits of its time. Since then his essay films have pushed the limits of documentary filmmaking in innovative ways.
Petit’s latest film is centered on a journey. Directed together with Emma Matthews, D is for Distance focuses on the couple’s son Louis, who has struggled with a severe case of epilepsy since he was young. The illness has erased some of the talented artist and musician’s childhood memories. In this film, the family utilises video clips filmed by the parents to revisit their shared memories and experiences. At the same time, they strengthen their family bonds by taking a trip to Finland together.
The film transports the viewer into the centre of the family’s battle with the UK’s rigid healthcare system. Throughout the journey, home videos become intertwined with wider societal and cultural developments, resulting in a unique archive of memories and references.
The associative mode of storytelling, with its surprising similes, escalates into a breathless meditation on the downward spiral of a society, in a way that is distinctly Petit. At its core, D for Distance is a family portrait and a tale of a personal struggle and an inflexible society. The undertone of this story is ultimately comforting, and almost hopeful.
Juho Liukkonen (translated by Adrian Murtomäki)
Directors Christopher Petit and Emma Matthews will attend the film screening on 6 Feb.
