THE EYES OF ME

 

 

THE EYES OF ME presents an extraordinary look at four blind teenagers. The parallel stories of two freshmen and two seniors unfold over the course of one dynamic year at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin.

Distilled from over 250 hours of footage, this experiential documentary captures a textured portrait of its characters’ lives. Director Keith Maitland worked closely with the film’s subjects to produce sequences of stylized rotoscopic animation to complement the film’s observational aesthetic.

The stories of the film’s central characters offer a fresh perspective on growing up, fitting in, and preparing for the future. Forced to confront the world without sight, they share their thoughts, their perceptions, their inner-visions of the outer world. Ultimately, you cannot understand their perceptions without challenging your own.

How do you see yourself when you can't see at all?

About the filmmaker:

Keith Maitland honed his production skills in New York City, working alongside directors including Woody Allen, Janusz Kaminski, and Joel Schumacher and as an Assistant Director on NBC’s LAW & ORDER. In 2001, Maitland formed his own production company, IllegalFilms. THE GROWN-UP, Maitland’s first short film, won an Audience Award at the 2003 Santa Monica Film Festival. His collaboration with cinematographer Ty Roberts, NOT EVEN JAIL, was selected as a winner in the Interpol Short Film Competition, sponsored by Matador Records. In addition to THE EYES OF ME, Maitland is directing the documentary film, TRACTORCADE: THE SPIRIT OF '79, which chronicles a 1979 cross-country “tractorcade” organized by family farmers.

About the Docs-in-Progress series:

Filmmakers screen their "rough cuts" (or "near-fine-cuts") for a filmmaker-member audience, and receive constructive comments and feedback. The meetings are moderated by experienced Austin film professionals. Participants will be expected to agree to confidentiality regarding the film and the comments received, as the films to be screened have not been finalized.

For more information on Docs-in-Progress, please click here.