Stages of Lost Freedom
Director: Kamran Rosen
United States, 2022, 8 min
Shooting Format:Digital Animation
Festival Year:2023
Category:Animation
Genres:Social justice, Incarceration
Cast:Derek Livingston
Crew:Writers: Kamran S Rosen, Derek Livingston. Producer: Kamran Rosen. Animators: Santiago Perez, Gonzalo Sepulveda, Crystal Tai, Ryan Kostopoulos, Alex Ezorsky, Asher Fai; Sound Designers: Andrew Holzberger, Matthew Ericson; Editors: Alex Ezorsky
Email:kamranrosen@gmail.com
Synopsis
Derek 'Dice' Livingston was incarcerated for nearly two decades , during which time he kept a journal of his thoughts. Mirroring the stages of loss—denial, depression, bargaining, anger, and acceptance— this animation uses Dice's own words and narration to show the emotional journey of losing one's identity to long term incarceration, with each entry brought to life by a different animator.
Trailer
About the director
Kamran Rosen is an Iranian American filmmaker living in New York City. Kamran has worked with incarcerated individuals applying for parole release in both California and New York for over 5 years and believes in the power of personal voice and agency to help restore one's individual sense of identity.
Filmmaker's note
I believe storytelling has the power to give narrative agency back to those who have had it taken from them.