Disclaimer: I haven’t had a chance to watch this video yet. From reading comments briefly, it appears that a trigger warning is in order for bullying, child abuse, and potentially domestic violence between her parents. Others have mentioned that it’s hard to watch in places.
Escape is an emotional short film (under 10 minutes) about a young gamer who suffers through bullying at school and a traumatic life at home who turns to playing Zelda as her way of hiding from what’s going on in her life. I suspect this will resonate with many of us who might have had similar experiences in our lives. I think we can all agree that gaming has the ability to do powerful things and can be a wonderful escape, which is why I personally fight for video games to exclude people less.
Created by Baruch Films, this short video won in the Student Shorts category at the Asian Film Festival of Dallas 2012.
(via The Mary Sue)
Tough to come up with a good comment.
I grew up with the edutainment stuff and was more/less literally kept in decent games as a means to sustain my popularity (not the best way to socially support an autie…but it did keep me accepted at the lowest level), so: hello privilege my old friend, I’m afraid I’ll have to acknowledge you again.
Based on that upbringing, I can’t really say in good conscience that I approve of playing the game rather than doing the math. But then I don’t approve of the parents not actively talking with their daughter and otherwise positively supporting her. Likewise stabbing the bully-lizard isn’t a sustainable long-term strategy; I can’t prescribe weights, training with same, gloves, & a punchbag for everyone though, nor do those parents look like the sort who would actively seek out the bullies’ parents and force a sit-down.
Not sure whether the glasses’ absence in the fantasy needs attention, nor if exposing the girl to Cyclops is a good approach.
While I understand the comment above (or below?), I feel that KA101 may have missed the point slightly, through no fault of his/her own – I’m also on the spectrum, and am totally with you on that front.
My take on this? It wasn’t a prescription for anything, and thusly can’t be renounced as one. Is partaking in violent fantasies a sustainable long-term coping mechanism? No, of course not. But it’s good for the short-term. Is ignoring your homework in favor of playing video games a good idea? No, of course it isn’t. But it’s perfectly understandable. God knows I did it as a kid (though it was less video games and more novels and comic books). Is it troubling that she appears without glasses in her fantasy world? Yeah, it sure is. But that isn’t the filmmakers showing people as being stronger or better without glasses – it’s a reflection of what *she* thought and felt. I remember hating my glasses when I was a kid. Sometimes I just straight up wouldn’t wear them because I was so embarrassed, even if it left me almost blind (and completely unable to see/read the chalkboard). So while it is unfortunate that her ideal self is portrayed as not having glasses, I understand that it is what she would imagine at that age.
This isn’t a moralistic tale of “this is what you should do when you have a horrible home life and are bullied at school.” This is just a story of how one girl coped with it in the short term. Short-term coping mechanisms aren’t necessarily good long-term ones. But if they are necessary and helpful for that short period of time? More power to them.
Of course if one is in a situation such as this, one should definitely speak to his/her teacher, friends, or other sympathetic and responsible adult. That’s always the way to go to seek the help one needs. If you’re being bullied, or abused/neglected at home, tell someone. It’s not your fault, but it won’t get better unless you do.
But in terms of a short film/character study, I thought this was beautifully done, and wonderfully acted. Also it broke my heart into itty bitty pieces.
Wonderful film.
Additional TW for the mother hitting the daughter would’ve been appreciated.
Otherwise, the video was powerful, and I should not have watched at work. All the sads.
Thank you, added another TW for child abuse.