MOVIE: I AM JOHN
What’s different about John?
Most of us know that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50. However, for many, it is still a complete mystery when it happens to someone we know or love. Through the eyes of John, an every man that seems to be living quite happily, we explore what it means to be a man living today, we see the private worlds that men are living in daily that drive them to consider taking their own lives.
The brainchild of Laurence Johns (screenwriter and men’s personal development professional) and Tony Wise (photographer and filmmaker) ‘I am John’ is a feature length film that is the central foundation of ‘Project: I am John’. The project, and the film, fuse film making with nearly two decades of experience working specifically in the men’s personal development arena resulting in a film that is experimental on many fronts. Starting with the production, which will be anything but traditional, the lead actor will be exposed to the workshop processes during filming in order to bring the closest level of reality possible. Not only will the film be challenging in terms of content and form, it is also designed to be an entry level path into a whole more interactive experience. ‘I am John’ is designed to bring men together in an entertaining and challenging way and then encourage them through parallel Q&A’s, workshops and men’s circles, to stay, get involved in the conversation and maybe reach out for the help and support they need in a safe and non-judgemental setting.
‘I am John’ is not a film about masculinity, it is a conversation starter about what it means to be a man in the 21st century. ‘I am John’ is an entry point to men’s work for those men that may need it most, but might be the hardest to reach.
Synopsis:
John is a seemingly average middle aged family man and a self-confessed ghost walking through his own life. On the verge of suicide, John inhabits multiple facades to disguse this from his family and freinds, and no-one knows what is coming. John’s own father was absent and to save his own son from the decades of questions and self blame, that he has endured, he decides to record for his son an explanation of what has brought him to this point, a confession of the mistakes he has made. Through the eyes of John we see a life of trying to fit in, of not really knowing his place, of isolation in crowds and the silent despair that many men find themselves living in without knowing how, or where, to ask for help. As John records his suicide note we begin to question whether he is recording something else? Is he recording a guide of how to live a better life? A guide to being a better man? A guide of what causes what has become the silent killer of men? A way to save a life?
Exhibition, Events & Workshops:
As well as being an entertaining, engaging, and thought provoking stand alone feature film ‘I am John’ is designed to be a conversation starter, an entry point into the conversation of what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. A way of reaching men that may otherwise be hard to reach, and encourage them to reflect on their needs and to experience the support of men’s groups and men’s circles.
The initial focus for the exhibition will be six screenings within the UK (London, Brighton, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Belfast). Each screening will have a men’s workshop attached and will be followed with a Q&A about the issues raised in the film and smaller breakout men’s circles. The screenings are not gender specific events and will be facilitated so that a cross spectrum of society can share their response, emotionally and intellectually, to the issue of modern masculinity.
Alongside these exhibition events ‘I am John’ will also be exhibited at conferences, festivals and gatherings that are exploring gender, men’s issues or mental health and wellbeing in general. We will also be actively encouraging small screening within men's groups throughout the country.
Our hope is that more mainstream exhibition routes, venues and festivals, will become interested in the film and the attached events so we can bring the conversation to the largest number of people possibly.
Towards the end of the films natural exhibition cycle ‘I am John’ will be made available online to stream for a donation of any amount and we will be running the workshops and men’s group online at regular intervals for as long as there is demand.
How can I help:
At the moment there are three main ways in which you can help.
- Raise awareness of the project by sharing our content with your networks.
- If you are in the media, produce a blog, podcast or YouTube channel we would love for you to tell our story.
- Book us to facilitate a screening and workshop in your organisation or group.
For any information on helping or bookings please use the contacts page.
Where can I see it:
‘I am John’ is currently in pre-production and will be released in November 2023. Please follow us on all social media and check the website reguarly for all the latest updates.
TEAM: I AM JOHN
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