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Paper Crane Teaser from Paper Crane Film on Vimeo.

Of survivors of rape and sexual assault – both real and fictitious – how many have the chance to tell their aggressors how they truly feel? 

Paper Crane – A Liberating Short Film by Christine Sciortino — Kickstarter.

So today on twitter, someone brought to my notice, a film about women’s empowerment. Since I always jump at the chance to be able to raise my voice about women’s rights, I went and checked out the link attached (see above).

From what I saw, I’m truly impressed and proud. I’m proud that there are women in the world who aren’t afraid to highlight an issue which is often stifled and hushed. I am proud that more and more young women are moving towards activism and realizing that we can make a difference.

Anyway! Moving on from my pride, Paper Crane is a twenty-minute short film written and directed by an NYU student, Christine Sciortino (@CMSciortino). This short film is about a girl who, three years after her rape, continues to struggle with the emotional consequences of the abuse. To overcome her trauma, she uses origami as an outlet.  Then, at her college graduation ceremony, she is unexpectedly brought face to face with the fellow student who raped her.  ‘After deciding she must confront him, they meet in a café where the conversation they have changes both of their lives.’

With that as the story for the short film, Christine elaborates on the project with the aim of not only promoting awareness on the issue of rape but also bringing to screen the emotional and long-term consequences faced by a rape survivor.

The writer and director explained that ‘teenagers in our contemporary culture are growing up with a prevailing ignorance about their own sexuality. Yet they are bombarded with increasingly sexual imagery and the idea that aggression is “sexy.”  My students insisted that these images were “no big deal.”

‘Paper Crane is a unique story that needs to be told. Relevant for men and women of all ages, this film can offer survivors of sexual assault hope that they too may find peace with the violence committed against them and inspire a more open dialogue about these crimes.’