Benita
Benita Raphan, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, directed several beautiful short films exploring the relationship between mental health, innovation, and creativity. Alan Berliner carefully examined her personal archive – filled with films, unused footage, notes, drawings, and photographs – and made a remarkable discovery that changed his perspective on her life, work, and death. Partly an anatomy of suicide and partly a personal story of a life unsettled by extreme pandemic isolation, the film is a portrait of a filmmaker made by a filmmaker, and at the same time, a meditation on the creative process itself. Alan Berliner's unique and original style draws the viewer into the story of his collaborator and friend, creating an intimate and compelling cinematic experience.
