Making
The Souls of Our Feet
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The Souls of our Feet is a full-length, student-made documentary that "aims to give an insider's perspective on living with disability in today's world". Frustrated by the ableism I faced personally, Sonya needed a way to combat disability prejudice in a positive way that was accessible, relatable, and fun.
With a lot of passion and little planning, she bought a small video camera and started asking questions. Touched and surprised by what she got on camera, the importance of the project became obvious. The following year, in fall of 2014 Sonya was accepted into the Honors Project Program at her high school, a selective independent study program for graduating seniors that equips students with the time and space to complete a large project they are passionate about. |
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Finding an unlikely project advisor in physics teacher Walter Keeley, who would guide in organizing and logistics, The Souls of our Feet was born. Sonya taught herself editing software, consulted teachers on film and interview techniques, and most importantly put together a diverse and vibrant group of individuals with disabilities who were willing to share their experiences. Slowly but surely, the film came together in a combination of voice-over's, animations, and interviews. The Souls of our Feet is truly a collaborative effort, with-then NYU film student Alex Hass contributing as score composer, and artist Valerie Abbruzzese as the promotional artist. To find out more about those who made TSOOF possible, meet the team.
The film is broken up into seven 10-15 minute sections, each on a different subject relating to disability. They are:
The Souls of our Feet provides both knowledge of disability etiquette, and a holistic view of what living with disability is like. While there are many resources on disability, the film offers honesty and humanity in a context where those two characteristics are too often overlooked.
Since it’s 2015 release, The Souls of our Feet has been seen by people of all ages and ability statuses, and has been shown and distributed across the United States as well as in Canada and England. Notable institutions to present all or part of the film include: University at Albany, SUNY, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Smith College, Eastern Michigan University, and Phamaly Theatre Company.
The film is broken up into seven 10-15 minute sections, each on a different subject relating to disability. They are:
- Disability in Romantic Relationships
- Disability in fashion
- Disability in the media
- Disability in Education
- Disability in Sports & Fitness
- Disability in Gender and Sexuality
- An Able-bodied Perspective
The Souls of our Feet provides both knowledge of disability etiquette, and a holistic view of what living with disability is like. While there are many resources on disability, the film offers honesty and humanity in a context where those two characteristics are too often overlooked.
Since it’s 2015 release, The Souls of our Feet has been seen by people of all ages and ability statuses, and has been shown and distributed across the United States as well as in Canada and England. Notable institutions to present all or part of the film include: University at Albany, SUNY, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Smith College, Eastern Michigan University, and Phamaly Theatre Company.
