Testimonials

“See Memory is a stunning dramatization of the complexity and emotional power of human memory. In a visual and narrative journey that is as haunting as it is insightful, the film offers nothing short than an entirely new way of imagining memory, trauma, presentness, and emotional experience.

Its beauty is matched only by its brilliance. See Memory should be required viewing in every class on memory, consciousness, and phenomenologies of mind.”

 R. John Williams, Associate Professor, English, Film and Media, Yale University

“Award-winning artist and filmmaker Viviane Silvera has created another masterpiece with this short film entitled See Memory. For just under fifteen minutes, the viewer is pulled into Silvera’s thought-provoking and powerful reflection on the role that memory serves in the human experience. See Memory is a beautifully crafted piece that would resonate greatly with a wide audience.

Silvera tackles this incredibly complex, yet widely familiar topic in a way that is both profound and easy to relate to. I would strongly recommend this short film to anyone, period. People of all walks of life can find something to connect with and will walk away having gained a new insight into the power of memory.” 

Bridgit Patterson, Video Librarian

 "We absolutely loved being able to show See Memory to a capacity crowd and host Viviane on campus. It gave us the opportunity to bring together members of our campus community across the humanities, social sciences, and hard sciences to discuss concepts that are important to all of us from wildly different perspectives.

I especially appreciated how much both students and local community members from across the Hudson Valley responded to the film, which generated questions on everything from Viviane's research process, to highly specific aesthetic choices such as frame inversion and painting medium, to what kinds of therapeutic practices most aligned with the film's ideas.

This is the kind of screening that invigorates our department and reminds us what film can do."

Erica Stein, Associate Professor and Chair Department of Film, Vassar College

“See Memory blends art, therapy and science seamlessly, and is not only a work of beauty, but is in itself a tool for stimulating memory, and grasping this enormous aspect of humanity in a unique and multidimensional way. I was struck by her extraordinary artistry, deeply moved by the beauty of the painting, awed by the delicacy and painstaking attention to detail that was clearly involved in creating such images. I was also struck by the power of the medium for communicating aspects of the worlds of memory and psychotherapy that are often ineffable. “

Paul Browde, M.D., Psychiatrist, Narrative Medicine Faculty Columbia University

“As a neuroscientist who studies how emotional memories are represented in the human brain, I was thoroughly impressed by the film's insights about the dynamics and subtleties of memories, and I was deeply moved by the artful way these ideas were expressed. Viviane was able to express scientific concepts and biological mechanisms of memory using art. During the last decade there has been tremendous interest in the science of memory, particularly in light of new discoveries on the biology of memory storage and retrieval, which may allow modifying traumatic memories. See Memory expresses these ideas in a very intuitive and artistic way.

I was thoroughly impressed by See Memory’s insights about the dynamics and subtleties of memories, and deeply moved by the artful way these ideas were expressed.”

Daniela Schiller, Ph.D. Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

“I was amazed by See Memory’s powerful narrative of traumatic memories. I believe that this film is an amazing introduction to how traumatic memories form an impediment to living one's life to its fullest and has the potential to be a helpful tool to combat stigma around mental health."

Ramina Bebezova, Student at Tufts University

"A lovely, hopeful and tender evocation of memory, self, and healing."

Janet Theophano, Associate Director of General Studies, University of Pennsylvania

“See Memory is a unique, impactful study of memory and its relationship to mental health. While the subject matter is serious, the film uses simple language accompanied by serene paintings, making the content accessible for viewers as young as middle school, while remaining engaging and thought-provoking for adults. This gentle exploration of how memory can evolve and affect how we relate to the world and ourselves is quietly powerful. Those who study film and visual arts will appreciate the visual content of See Memory. The way that images change as the film progresses reflects the evolution of memory explored in the script.

A unique, impactful study of memory and its relationship to mental health. Accessible for viewers as young as middle school, while remaining engaging and thought-provoking for adults. “

Jasmine Smith, Video Librarian, Alvernia University

“See Memory facilitates discussion about memory and the impact of both physical and psychological trauma on memory in a very humanistic and personal way. It allows viewers to reflect on and share their personal experiences. It opens the door to understanding the science of memory and it promotes an understanding of personal trauma and equally important an understanding about the important role of the community in helping victims of trauma through their healing process.

I began to use excerpts as an augmentation tool to psychotherapy with patients who have been victims of trauma. The response has been outstanding.”

Dr. Silvana Riggio, Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry & Human Rehabilitation, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

“Thought-provoking and can be watched several times with a new insight each time, reveals new understandings of how memory works and how painful memories can be re-imagined.”

Jessica Irish, Associate Professor of Media Arts and Design, Parsons, The New School

“I believe everyone has something to learn from watching this film. Not only are the visuals absolutely beautiful to watch, the spoken information is also incredibly fascinating and insightful. I gained so much insight by watching this film.”

Camilla Dangot, Student at Brown University

“Beautiful and mesmerizing.”

Sydni Rosenfeld, Student atTufts University

“For anyone interested in seeing how the biology of the brain and the emotional experiences that characterize our lives are intertwined.

Perhaps, particularly for people who know so much about the science that they've forgotten the human context in which neuroscience resides.”

Kennedy King, Student and Co-President of NeuroNetwork Club at Tufts University

“See Memory, unlike any other film I’ve watched with my mom, allowed her and her friends to share their emotions behind the words and images. To fully embrace the moment in all its textures. 

We watched the film twice to fully experience it and, as my mother shared, "to hold onto the colors.” I was tickled by the group’s dynamic exchange, and more specifically by a line in the film, that “Memory is the glue that binds our mental life together.” That line gave the group a chance to talk about memory and share their individual feelings about their own memory loss, their frustrations and even fears. The soothing tones, colors and brush strokes held their attention. They were rapt. It was such a positive experience for me, too, as a daughter to find a way to enjoy an activity together, to rediscover the mother I’ve always loved.

See Memory, unlike any other film I’ve watched with mom, allowed her and her friends to share their emotions behind the words and images. To fully embrace the moment in all its textures. It is a testament to the power of art and story to enrich and revive the human spirit. “

Andrea Kalin, Caregiver, Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker, CEO of Spark Media

“See Memory makes excellent use of animated paintings that meld one to the next with deep concepts about memory and neural function. The point that memory is constructed and may differ from reality made a lasting impression on me, and the PTSD section makes such an important point about mental health.

The film is for a wide audience and  excellent for middle school onward.”

Daniel Jay, Ph.D. Dean, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

“Lyrical, poetic, visually engaging. The film offers beautiful, reframing language that can support those with an often overlooked diagnosis.”

Gina Smith, Case Manager, International Rescue Committee

“A beautifully rendered animated story about how we capture memories that are unseen.”

Helen Quinones, Psycholanalyst, The William Alanson White Institute

“A beautiful journey, a discovery of the mind. ”

Wendy Kantor, U.S. Representative of the Mishkan Museum

“See Memory reveals and decodes the powerful impact of memory on our lives in ways that are equally monumental and graceful.”

Ilana Grossman, Co-Founder of Pinktada, Former Head of Marketing, Artsy

“A magnificent piece; beautiful, ethereal, dreamlike.”

Simon Fortin, Playright and Instructor, New York University

“About how speaking to a receptive other allows us to co-creative new narratives that let us come to terms with all of our pasts and see ourselves in new ways.”

-Amy Rosenthal, LCSW, Clinical Director, Creatives Care

"A lovely presentation of profound ideas. Powerful and meaningful."

D.C Shorts Film Festival

“Wonderful, engaging. Excellent insight to memory processing with artwork and commentary.”

-Faith Tomases, Writer

“Informative and beautiful, a creative, succinct exploration.”

Gail Rodney, Artist

“Makes you really think about your own life and history. I love the connection between art and memory.”

Melissa Gunn

“Offers hope for older people. I especially like the idea of paying attention to our visual world as a way to keep memory more vital.”

June Rousso, Psychotherapist

“I would recommend this film to anyone working with refugees and those who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. The depiction of the person alone on the boat left an impression on me because it truly symbolizes what it’s like to be alone. This image is something my clients have shared with me. “

-Nathalie Leonardo, Intensive Casework Supervisor, International Refugee Committee