Movie to avoid
I went to see the movie "A.I" today. While it was an inteesting movie, it is very triggering in some areas. I don't usually cry, but I was sobbing toward the end of this movie. (Where are blue fairies when you need them?)
Hi, Scott. I, too, saw "A.I." and I also cried. I am Jewish, and the scenes of the humans abusing the robots really was very upsetting to me...reminded me of Nazi Germany. Other things triggered pain for me, as well.
I would still recommend the movie, though. It actually was helpful for me to cry and feel pain and sadness that connected with my abuse. I did some grieving as a result of seeing the film, and that was good for me, even though it hurt and I cried. I have found in my recovery that one of the best things for me is to let out my pain and cry, sob, scream, whatever. It hurts like hell when I am in it, but it really is very healing in the end. It releases deep grief and makes space for joy.
I also find the film to be very tought provoking and raising really importnt questions about how we tend to view and feel about those who are different from us. Some really good lessons are there, I think.
Anyway, just some additional thoughts. thanks again for your post!
LanceC
I would still recommend the movie, though. It actually was helpful for me to cry and feel pain and sadness that connected with my abuse. I did some grieving as a result of seeing the film, and that was good for me, even though it hurt and I cried. I have found in my recovery that one of the best things for me is to let out my pain and cry, sob, scream, whatever. It hurts like hell when I am in it, but it really is very healing in the end. It releases deep grief and makes space for joy.
I also find the film to be very tought provoking and raising really importnt questions about how we tend to view and feel about those who are different from us. Some really good lessons are there, I think.
Anyway, just some additional thoughts. thanks again for your post!
LanceC
My partner and I went to see A.I. a few days after a major trigger event that I wasn't quite completely over. We just wanted to take a break and see something "wholesome." After the big trigger, we were somewhat separated and I was kind of catatonic and non responsive. I barely spoke to him during the few days afterwards. Then we saw A.I.
I sat through the movie completely numb, my eyes staring unblinkingly at the screen. By the time it ended, we went to the car and he looked over at me and asked how I liked it. I didn't say anything. I was completely shut down.
On our way home, he reached over and put his hand on my leg 'cause I was just staring out the window. I started to cry so hard that I was practically screaming. I felt like I was going to have a breakdown or something. I really hate it when some of the pain comes out so fast.
I think it did me a lot of good. It was a pressure relief. It was a good kind of release. It was me getting in touch with something that I wanted very much and didn't receive as a child. It was me missing a nurturing, etc. It was the old hurt from being neglected and left in my room and abused.
But it *wasn't* the horrible feelings of being triggered. It was a real feeling. When I feel triggered, nothing feels real. It all takes on a surrealistic haze and I get really scared and frightened and feel like shutting down. A.I. helped me to feel real again, even though it was painful.
Thanks for listening,
Scotty
I sat through the movie completely numb, my eyes staring unblinkingly at the screen. By the time it ended, we went to the car and he looked over at me and asked how I liked it. I didn't say anything. I was completely shut down.
On our way home, he reached over and put his hand on my leg 'cause I was just staring out the window. I started to cry so hard that I was practically screaming. I felt like I was going to have a breakdown or something. I really hate it when some of the pain comes out so fast.
I think it did me a lot of good. It was a pressure relief. It was a good kind of release. It was me getting in touch with something that I wanted very much and didn't receive as a child. It was me missing a nurturing, etc. It was the old hurt from being neglected and left in my room and abused.
But it *wasn't* the horrible feelings of being triggered. It was a real feeling. When I feel triggered, nothing feels real. It all takes on a surrealistic haze and I get really scared and frightened and feel like shutting down. A.I. helped me to feel real again, even though it was painful.
Thanks for listening,
Scotty
Scotty,
Thank you for putting into words MY feelings about AI. I saw it, had a reaction almost identical to yours, but for some reason couldn't put words to it. I felt the same... it was a "real" feeling, not the "deja vu" of being triggered. It was painful but "purgative"; it hurt, but it was a pressure relief for me.
Thanks again,
N_S
Thank you for putting into words MY feelings about AI. I saw it, had a reaction almost identical to yours, but for some reason couldn't put words to it. I felt the same... it was a "real" feeling, not the "deja vu" of being triggered. It was painful but "purgative"; it hurt, but it was a pressure relief for me.
Thanks again,
N_S