Op-Docs

Everyone should have an outlet, a way to express how they feel. 

    Op-Docs to many, are an artistic way to express an opinion or share a feeling. The original goal of Op-Docs was to present an idea, point of view, or character; and to open the conversation around this topic. 

How to Be Alone

https://nyti.ms/3eaNk42

    In How to Be Alone, Sindha Agha, who has made multiple Op-Docs and mini-films, explores the daily experiences we've all been living through within quarantine. She does this through going through the daily motions: from struggling to get out of bed, to wondering what to do all day, to being fascinated by the smallest things, Agha touches on how the current state of our world is bringing her gratefulness of past everyday things to both her and many others to the front. Within the Op-Doc, much time is spent comparing the life in quarantine to the daily life of Antarctic dwellers. These people consist of researchers and soon to be astronauts who are limited to only ever seeing small groups of people, living from external supplies, sometimes entirely isolated. Agha talks about winter-over syndrome, a psychological condition these folks sometimes experience. Hallucinations, depression, and insomnia are all a part of this condition. Yet, these people can come out of this state, ready to admire the beauty and continue on with their lives. She takes all of this information and admires how similar it is to the state we currently are living through. We are all isolated, alone, and experiencing levels of stress we never have before. Sindha Agha is able to wrap up her Op-Doc on this positive note, 

    "When quarantine is over, I’ll be a different person. One who doesn’t take for granted the feeling of bumping up against a stranger in the supermarket. One who touches her friends a lot, maybe too much. And I won’t wish I needed other people less, to see them up close, to hear our laughter rising towards the same ceiling, blending into a singular sound, because I’ve been to space."

Tears Teacher

https://nyti.ms/30Yb9qr

    "Have you cried recently?" Hidefumi Yoshida has. In the Op-Doc, "Tears Teacher," director Noemie Nakai follows Yoshida in his life as a tears teacher. Yoshida lives in Japan, where he states there is a huge stigma around crying: especially within men, and in public. Yoshida believes that crying can have a huge impact with lowering stress level, and with benefiting the immune system, "I don’t catch colds anymore. Crying has boosted my immune system." He believes and educates about how meaningful crying can really be. Hidefumi Yoshida is going on to open a crying cafe, a comfortable place where people can freely express their emotions while enjoying some food and drink. Yoshida had a friend his age pass away due to the overworking he endured, and the Tears Teacher feels he could've maybe saved his friends life if he convinced him to let his emotions free and cry for once. But, on the topic of his loved ones, Yoshida had his dad attend one of his crying classes when he was around helping his son out. Hidefumi said this when talking about that particular day: "My dad? Yeah, he’s seen me at work. I needed a helping hand and asked him to attend a workshop. I was embarrassed, but he did say he was proud of my work. I looked at him after the workshop, but he turned away. He was crying. I think he was ashamed of crying in front of his son."

   

    Both of these Op-Docs stuck out to me due to the openness and rawness of the emotion within them. Both Yoshida and Agha had a similar energy, they both held a lot of obvious passion to what they do; Agha taking the time to include beautiful writing and images within her work, to Yoshida talking the time and effort to care for other people in such a kind and open way. I appreciated and would recommend both these Op-Docs to others.