One Day at a Time
ANIMATION | 1- 5 MIN. | ADDICTION, MENTAL HEALTH, PEOPLE OF COLOR
An ex-homeless man reflects on the changes he has made as a recovering alcoholic.
This film contains scenes or descriptions that some viewers may find disturbing, including descriptions of suicide, and/or may not be suitable for younger audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
If you are in crisis, please reach out immediately for help. There are several resources for help in a crisis:
- CALL: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center
- TEXT: MHA to 741741
- CALL: 911
[addtoany]But What Does It Mean?
EXPLORE THE FILM'S MEANING →
Even when we feel that we have a sense of a film’s meaning, there is often more to uncover.
Watch this video to better understand the film and why we selected it for the festival.
CLICK TO EXPLORE THE FILM'S THEMES
With a pencil, draw something that makes you hopeful. It can be an abstract drawing, an object, person, or place. Once you’ve finished your drawing, erase it. Now, draw something that makes you feel less hopeful – targeting feelings of regret, despair, or even fear – in the same spot as the previous drawing. The same rules apply: it can be an abstract drawing of the concept of anxiety or a specific object or person…whatever you’d like.
Look at the drawing. Do you see that even in this picture of depression/regret/fear, you can still see the marks of your hopeful drawing? How do the smudged remains of your initial drawing match up with your second drawing?
Meet the Filmmaker
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Rui Ting Ji is a Canadian-Chinese student filmmaker from Montreal, Quebec. She works in animation, interactive narratives, and documentary filmmaking. Her films tend to focus on real people or issues, and have screened around the world. One Day at a Time is her second-year student film at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema (Concordia University).
WHY THEY MADE THE FILM
“In summer 2016, I had the chance to work at a homeless day center, serving those on the streets in Montreal. There, I found kindness, generosity and courage, and listened to heartfelt and personal stories of strength and resilience from this highly vulnerable population. I believe that those stories deserve to be shared. Bobby’s story is one of them.”
Your Turn: What did YOU think of this film?
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UnLonely Film Fest 4
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ABOUT THE UNLONELY PROJECT
The UnLonely Project broadens public awareness of the negative physical and mental health consequences of loneliness while also promoting creative arts-based approaches to reduce the burden. Click here for mental health resources.
Very powerful, very honest of him, great film!
I loved the way you draw the subject. It takes a very big part of the story.
Excellent film and narration. I have a heart for the homeless and troubled. Will share this with my friends.
We only have today. When we really understand that? How can such a short film speak such volumes.