Looking Glass
Vancouver, Canada | Film Short
Drama
After an encounter with a mythological African being, a young, anxious, and aspiring dancer loses the ability to see herself in the mirror.
Looking Glass
Vancouver, Canada | Film Short
Drama
2 Campaigns | British Columbia, Canada
Green Light
This campaign raised C$7,530 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
43 supporters | followers
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After an encounter with a mythological African being, a young, anxious, and aspiring dancer loses the ability to see herself in the mirror.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It's a Saturday morning and ASHA is holed up in her bathroom staring at her stomach in the mirror. She tugs at her folds and curves, willing them to disappear. Asha’s bedroom shelf is lined with childhood dance awards, but she hasn’t been to class in ages.
On a routine trip to the grocery store, ASHA hears a familiar song and follows it to a local dance studio. She is transfixed by the many shapes and sizes of body moving and tempted to join. She turns away instead and bumps into a mysterious ELDER WOMAN. We come to know her as ANANSI, a West African trickster god. She clutches a guava that glows yellow.
Upon returning home, ASHA discovers she can no longer see herself in the mirror. Shocked and horrified, she covers the mirror with a bed sheet. In the process she discovers her own shadow as a companion, and starts to mimic its movements. Her love of dance begins to re-emerge.
Back at the dance studio the next day, we see ASHA take cautious steps towards freedom. Her reflection is still missing even in the dance studio’s mirror. Through a montage of dance in the studio, at home, and in the streets, we see ASHA reclaim her love of dance. As ASHA leaves the studio, the mysterious ELDER WOMAN appears again, clutching her same guava, this time glowing red. Back at home, ASHA and her shadow remove the sheet from the mirror together. She gasps at her reflection, restored in full colour, wearing a red dress. She is home.
Being invisible to myself is the biggest struggle I feel I am faced with. This inspired me to tell a story of a character that literally loses sight of themselves in the mirror.
When I started to experience panic attacks in 2019, it was a real wake up call for my mental health. After conversations with family and friends, I realized my struggles were also shared by others - I wasn’t alone. Our experiences were more similar than I ever imagined. Yet, I noticed I still struggled to give myself adequate care and support. This experience inspired me to make stories about mental health.
When I pitched this story to Voices With Impact, I wanted to challenge myself to explore why I stopped dancing. I love dancing, and yet I don’t do it. Why? The fear of being judged by others in a class environment prevents me from experiencing joy in my body.
I know I am not alone in this experience. I also know that Western colonial society has created unrealistic beauty standards, especially for women. To tell this story, I pulled inspiration from a trickster god Anansi. Anansi is well known in West-African countries, the Caribbean, and in North American stories (like “American Gods”). Anansi is known to represent himself in animal form (spider to name one) and in human form (hence the ELDER WOMAN). In Looking Glass, Anansi uses his cunning creativity and wit to remind Asha of who is, and should be most important to her - herself.
CAMERA
This is Asha’s story, and it will be told intimately from her perspective. Close up shots of her face as she inspects her body, dances, or witnesses the joy of other dancers will provide emotional intimacy. Insert shots of Asha’s hands on her own skin and body will also be used frequently.
SOUND
The soundscape of the film will closely track Asha’s physical state and her level of comfort in each environment. Initially frenzied and chaotic, the soundscape finds an equilibrium along with Asha’s breath as she allows herself to be guided by her shadow and enjoy her body’s movements once again.
MUSIC
I am ecstatic to be bringing the rhythms and melodies of Afrobeats from my home country Nigeria to the score of this film. Sound is what connects Asha back to her sense of joy. Composer Chris Couto has already begun creating a foundation for myself and our choreographer Taylor Noel to map out the moves that will be featured in the montage.
MOODBOARD
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The lyrical beauty of this film lies in the music and the dancing. To bring this to life, we are working closely with a composer (Chris Couto) and a choreographer (Taylor Noel) to realize Ivanna’s vision. Your support will cover the creation of these critical components so we can be ready for our shoot on February 22 and 23.
HITTING OUR GOAL OF $10K WILL ALLOW US TO…
- REALIZE THE MUSICAL VISION to create original West African-inspired tracks that will accompany ASHA on her journey
- REALIZE THE DANCE VISION to create the choreography sequence that enables ASHA to see herself in the mirror again
- COMPENSATE OUR POST-PRODUCTION TEAM which includes colourists, audio-engineers, and our editor and composer as well as facility rentals needed for all these specialists to create the movie magic that finalizes a film and gives it life.
- And, finally... SUBMIT TO FILM FESTIVALS so this story and the artistry of this award-winning team can be shared with the world!
Looking Glass will reunite the creative team behind Esther & Sai which received the Voices With Impact grant for immigration and Black mental health in 2021. Co-Directed by Rosie Choo Pidcock and Anaisa Visser, and starring Rosie Choo Pidcock and Ivanna Samuel, Esther & Sai became an award-winning sensation on the festival circuit and a fan favourite with audiences around Turtle Island for its nuanced and intimate portrayal of friendship between two nursing students of colour in the1970s. Based on the true story of Rosie Choo Pidcock's mother Sai Choo and best friend Esther Aneke, the film also received distribution in-flight on Air Canada as well as with Film Forward. Esther & Sai was created to honour Sai's spirit after she transitioned to the spirit world in 2017. The legacy of her friendship with Esther deeply informs the Looking Glass creative team's relational and care-centered approach to filmmaking.
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Shot by Carol Gandra at Glow Studios. Clockwise from top right - Ivanna Samuel, Anaisa Visser, Esther Aneke and Rosie Choo Pidcock.
1. Choose an incentive on the right hand side to DONATE!
2. Follow us on Instagram @lookingglassfilm!
3. Share this page with your community!
We got this!!!!!!!! ??✨??✨??
From left to right: Producer Rosie Choo Pidcock, Producer Anaïsa Visser and Writer/Director/Lead Performer Ivanna Samuel at a screening of Esther & Sai during Gender Equity in Media Society's Summer Fest (formerly Vancouver International Women in Film Festival).
Our project takes places on the traditional, ancestral and occupied territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Our team is committed to decolonization through the practices of equity, knowledge sharing through mentorship and community care. Learn more about whose land you are on in so-called 'Canada', read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action and consider a donation to a local Indigenous-led organization like Ravens Trust or Urban Native Youth Association, or purchasing from an Indigenous-owned business like Sisters Sage or Massy Books. Check out this full list of Indigenous-owned and operated organizations you can support.
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Original Music
Costs C$1,000
The music creates the backbone of Asha's emotional journey, and uniquely reflects our creator Ivanna Samuel's Nigerian roots.
Post Production Team
Costs C$5,500
The post-production team includes the post-production supervisor, editor, sound designer and the colourist.
Original Choreography
Costs C$1,000
The choreography Asha sees in Bodi Sense Dance Studio makes her long to reunite with her body. It repeats throughout the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs C$0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ivanna Samuel (she/her) - Writer/Director/Lead Performer
Ivanna Samuel is an actor, spoken word poet, and filmmaker based in Vancouver. Her debut film "Who We Are" was created with the Reel Youth 'Black Brilliance Program', in partnership with Telus StoryHive. On-screen, Ivanna can be seen playing the role of Esther in the award winning short film “Esther & Sai”, inspired by a true story.An alumni of the 2023 cohorts of the VIFF Catalyst Mentorship Program and Black Women Film! Canada at TIFF, Ivanna’s films reflect themes of mental health and self expression. Ivanna's recently completed her second short film, "The Book of Black Voices" which follows two Black poets (Adonis and Imbali) as they grapple to find community in Vancouver.
Rosie Choo Pidcock (she/they) - Producer
Rosie Choo Pidcock is a biracial Chinese Canadian writer, director and producer based in Vancouver, BC. Her award-winning debut short film Esther & Sai, a portrait of the friendship between two immigrant nursing students in the 1970s, received distribution on Air Canada and series development support from the Canada Media Fund, Reelworld and the TIFF Series Accelerator. Her sophomore film Sorry For Your Cost explores the predatory nature of the funeral industry through the eyes of a working class Chinese family, and had its world premiere at the St. John's International Women’s Film Festival in October 2024. She serves as the Office Production Coordinator at Lantern Films, and co-producer of easybake (Dir. Sasha Dunca), winner of the 2023 MPPIA Short Film Award. As a producer she focuses on fundraising, marketing and distribution as well as cultivating a leadership style rooted in care, justice and accountability.
Anaïsa Visser (she/they) - Producer
Anaïsa is a biracial (Dutch and Pakistani) filmmaker and arts administrator based in Vancouver, BC. She grew up all over the world, namely in Mozambique, the United States, then France, before moving to Vancouver to pursue an undergraduate degree at Emily Carr University. She graduated in 2013 with a BFA in Film, Video and Integrated Media. She subsequently completed her Masters Degree in Film Production and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia in 2020. Anaïsa has made several short films, primarily on topics of mental health and immigration stories. Anaïsa is the Executive Director at Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver. Anaïsa lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and is passionate about inclusivity of chronically ill and disabled communities.
m Barry (she/her) - Impact Producer
Mariam is an actor, writer, and producer in theatre and film. She was raised internationally between the US, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and The Netherlands before moving to Vancouver, Canada, as a young adult. Mariam's passion is telling stories that celebrate the diversity of the Black experience.
Ashley Sugimoto (she/her) - Line Producer
Jay Kamal (he/him) - Cinematographer
Jay Kamal is an award-winning cinematographer based in Vancouver, Canada. He works worldwide on films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. Jay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Film Production from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Film and Theatre from the University of Alberta. While travelling around the world, living in unusual places, and interacting with reclusive societies including North Korea, Jay developed a passion for diverse storytelling and incorporates unique cultural elements into his films. Jay speaks English, French, Arabic, and Japanese, and enjoys working with international crews in their native languages. A member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Jay works as a Director of Photography and Steadicam Operator and has led camera teams on feature films and television series for Netflix, Warner Brothers, Disney, and other networks. Jay’s work has screened and won awards at international film festivals including Cannes. He is the winner of the Freda Springate Prize for Excellence in Film and the UBC Film Production Alumni Award.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
It's a Saturday morning and ASHA is holed up in her bathroom staring at her stomach in the mirror. She tugs at her folds and curves, willing them to disappear. Asha’s bedroom shelf is lined with childhood dance awards, but she hasn’t been to class in ages.
On a routine trip to the grocery store, ASHA hears a familiar song and follows it to a local dance studio. She is transfixed by the many shapes and sizes of body moving and tempted to join. She turns away instead and bumps into a mysterious ELDER WOMAN. We come to know her as ANANSI, a West African trickster god. She clutches a guava that glows yellow.
Upon returning home, ASHA discovers she can no longer see herself in the mirror. Shocked and horrified, she covers the mirror with a bed sheet. In the process she discovers her own shadow as a companion, and starts to mimic its movements. Her love of dance begins to re-emerge.
Back at the dance studio the next day, we see ASHA take cautious steps towards freedom. Her reflection is still missing even in the dance studio’s mirror. Through a montage of dance in the studio, at home, and in the streets, we see ASHA reclaim her love of dance. As ASHA leaves the studio, the mysterious ELDER WOMAN appears again, clutching her same guava, this time glowing red. Back at home, ASHA and her shadow remove the sheet from the mirror together. She gasps at her reflection, restored in full colour, wearing a red dress. She is home.
Being invisible to myself is the biggest struggle I feel I am faced with. This inspired me to tell a story of a character that literally loses sight of themselves in the mirror.
When I started to experience panic attacks in 2019, it was a real wake up call for my mental health. After conversations with family and friends, I realized my struggles were also shared by others - I wasn’t alone. Our experiences were more similar than I ever imagined. Yet, I noticed I still struggled to give myself adequate care and support. This experience inspired me to make stories about mental health.
When I pitched this story to Voices With Impact, I wanted to challenge myself to explore why I stopped dancing. I love dancing, and yet I don’t do it. Why? The fear of being judged by others in a class environment prevents me from experiencing joy in my body.
I know I am not alone in this experience. I also know that Western colonial society has created unrealistic beauty standards, especially for women. To tell this story, I pulled inspiration from a trickster god Anansi. Anansi is well known in West-African countries, the Caribbean, and in North American stories (like “American Gods”). Anansi is known to represent himself in animal form (spider to name one) and in human form (hence the ELDER WOMAN). In Looking Glass, Anansi uses his cunning creativity and wit to remind Asha of who is, and should be most important to her - herself.
CAMERA
This is Asha’s story, and it will be told intimately from her perspective. Close up shots of her face as she inspects her body, dances, or witnesses the joy of other dancers will provide emotional intimacy. Insert shots of Asha’s hands on her own skin and body will also be used frequently.
SOUND
The soundscape of the film will closely track Asha’s physical state and her level of comfort in each environment. Initially frenzied and chaotic, the soundscape finds an equilibrium along with Asha’s breath as she allows herself to be guided by her shadow and enjoy her body’s movements once again.
MUSIC
I am ecstatic to be bringing the rhythms and melodies of Afrobeats from my home country Nigeria to the score of this film. Sound is what connects Asha back to her sense of joy. Composer Chris Couto has already begun creating a foundation for myself and our choreographer Taylor Noel to map out the moves that will be featured in the montage.
MOODBOARD
The lyrical beauty of this film lies in the music and the dancing. To bring this to life, we are working closely with a composer (Chris Couto) and a choreographer (Taylor Noel) to realize Ivanna’s vision. Your support will cover the creation of these critical components so we can be ready for our shoot on February 22 and 23.
HITTING OUR GOAL OF $10K WILL ALLOW US TO…
- REALIZE THE MUSICAL VISION to create original West African-inspired tracks that will accompany ASHA on her journey
- REALIZE THE DANCE VISION to create the choreography sequence that enables ASHA to see herself in the mirror again
- COMPENSATE OUR POST-PRODUCTION TEAM which includes colourists, audio-engineers, and our editor and composer as well as facility rentals needed for all these specialists to create the movie magic that finalizes a film and gives it life.
- And, finally... SUBMIT TO FILM FESTIVALS so this story and the artistry of this award-winning team can be shared with the world!
Looking Glass will reunite the creative team behind Esther & Sai which received the Voices With Impact grant for immigration and Black mental health in 2021. Co-Directed by Rosie Choo Pidcock and Anaisa Visser, and starring Rosie Choo Pidcock and Ivanna Samuel, Esther & Sai became an award-winning sensation on the festival circuit and a fan favourite with audiences around Turtle Island for its nuanced and intimate portrayal of friendship between two nursing students of colour in the1970s. Based on the true story of Rosie Choo Pidcock's mother Sai Choo and best friend Esther Aneke, the film also received distribution in-flight on Air Canada as well as with Film Forward. Esther & Sai was created to honour Sai's spirit after she transitioned to the spirit world in 2017. The legacy of her friendship with Esther deeply informs the Looking Glass creative team's relational and care-centered approach to filmmaking.
Shot by Carol Gandra at Glow Studios. Clockwise from top right - Ivanna Samuel, Anaisa Visser, Esther Aneke and Rosie Choo Pidcock.
1. Choose an incentive on the right hand side to DONATE!
2. Follow us on Instagram @lookingglassfilm!
3. Share this page with your community!
We got this!!!!!!!! ??✨??✨??
From left to right: Producer Rosie Choo Pidcock, Producer Anaïsa Visser and Writer/Director/Lead Performer Ivanna Samuel at a screening of Esther & Sai during Gender Equity in Media Society's Summer Fest (formerly Vancouver International Women in Film Festival).
Our project takes places on the traditional, ancestral and occupied territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Our team is committed to decolonization through the practices of equity, knowledge sharing through mentorship and community care. Learn more about whose land you are on in so-called 'Canada', read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action and consider a donation to a local Indigenous-led organization like Ravens Trust or Urban Native Youth Association, or purchasing from an Indigenous-owned business like Sisters Sage or Massy Books. Check out this full list of Indigenous-owned and operated organizations you can support.
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM:
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Original Music
Costs C$1,000
The music creates the backbone of Asha's emotional journey, and uniquely reflects our creator Ivanna Samuel's Nigerian roots.
Post Production Team
Costs C$5,500
The post-production team includes the post-production supervisor, editor, sound designer and the colourist.
Original Choreography
Costs C$1,000
The choreography Asha sees in Bodi Sense Dance Studio makes her long to reunite with her body. It repeats throughout the film.
Cash Pledge
Costs C$0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ivanna Samuel (she/her) - Writer/Director/Lead Performer
Ivanna Samuel is an actor, spoken word poet, and filmmaker based in Vancouver. Her debut film "Who We Are" was created with the Reel Youth 'Black Brilliance Program', in partnership with Telus StoryHive. On-screen, Ivanna can be seen playing the role of Esther in the award winning short film “Esther & Sai”, inspired by a true story.An alumni of the 2023 cohorts of the VIFF Catalyst Mentorship Program and Black Women Film! Canada at TIFF, Ivanna’s films reflect themes of mental health and self expression. Ivanna's recently completed her second short film, "The Book of Black Voices" which follows two Black poets (Adonis and Imbali) as they grapple to find community in Vancouver.
Rosie Choo Pidcock (she/they) - Producer
Rosie Choo Pidcock is a biracial Chinese Canadian writer, director and producer based in Vancouver, BC. Her award-winning debut short film Esther & Sai, a portrait of the friendship between two immigrant nursing students in the 1970s, received distribution on Air Canada and series development support from the Canada Media Fund, Reelworld and the TIFF Series Accelerator. Her sophomore film Sorry For Your Cost explores the predatory nature of the funeral industry through the eyes of a working class Chinese family, and had its world premiere at the St. John's International Women’s Film Festival in October 2024. She serves as the Office Production Coordinator at Lantern Films, and co-producer of easybake (Dir. Sasha Dunca), winner of the 2023 MPPIA Short Film Award. As a producer she focuses on fundraising, marketing and distribution as well as cultivating a leadership style rooted in care, justice and accountability.
Anaïsa Visser (she/they) - Producer
Anaïsa is a biracial (Dutch and Pakistani) filmmaker and arts administrator based in Vancouver, BC. She grew up all over the world, namely in Mozambique, the United States, then France, before moving to Vancouver to pursue an undergraduate degree at Emily Carr University. She graduated in 2013 with a BFA in Film, Video and Integrated Media. She subsequently completed her Masters Degree in Film Production and Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia in 2020. Anaïsa has made several short films, primarily on topics of mental health and immigration stories. Anaïsa is the Executive Director at Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver. Anaïsa lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and is passionate about inclusivity of chronically ill and disabled communities.
m Barry (she/her) - Impact Producer
Mariam is an actor, writer, and producer in theatre and film. She was raised internationally between the US, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and The Netherlands before moving to Vancouver, Canada, as a young adult. Mariam's passion is telling stories that celebrate the diversity of the Black experience.
Ashley Sugimoto (she/her) - Line Producer
Jay Kamal (he/him) - Cinematographer
Jay Kamal is an award-winning cinematographer based in Vancouver, Canada. He works worldwide on films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. Jay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Film Production from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Film and Theatre from the University of Alberta. While travelling around the world, living in unusual places, and interacting with reclusive societies including North Korea, Jay developed a passion for diverse storytelling and incorporates unique cultural elements into his films. Jay speaks English, French, Arabic, and Japanese, and enjoys working with international crews in their native languages. A member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Jay works as a Director of Photography and Steadicam Operator and has led camera teams on feature films and television series for Netflix, Warner Brothers, Disney, and other networks. Jay’s work has screened and won awards at international film festivals including Cannes. He is the winner of the Freda Springate Prize for Excellence in Film and the UBC Film Production Alumni Award.