Bristol lockdown documentary to bring 'collective healing'

Mr Whitson (l) hopes the film reminds people how "special" Bristol is and the connections which take place in it

Filmmakers hope a new documentary about the Covid-19 lockdowns will bring "collective healing" to a city.

What Does Normal Look Like? focuses on the psychological impact the restrictions had on Bristol's culture.

Colin Moody and Tom Whitson started working on the project after speaking about how much the lockdown had affected them personally.

"I felt a sense of loss. And you could see that sense of loss was really at large," said Mr Moody.

The filmmaker was working on a book about Bristol's nightlife before the pandemic.

"And then Covid came along and everyone was locked down.

"It was horrible. I also felt really bad for all the people that I was meeting at all these clubs and venues," he explained.

Kayla Painter said creating the music for the film felt like a collaboration with "so many" artists she admires

Mr Moody said he and Mr Whitson realised there must be many other creatives making content about their experiences.

The documentary brings together recordings by these artists, along with Mr Moody's and Mr Whitson's own footage.

It examines how Bristolians were affected by nightlife, community hubs and the high street shutting down, also covering the Black Lives Matter and Kill the Bill protests that took place during the pandemic.

"Those events involve lots of people going out in big groups, and we saw a parallel in the idea of you can't go out to a big club, you can't go out to a pub, but you can, if you are so compelled by an issue, go 'I'm not having this' and go out," said Mr Moody.

Mr Whitson added: "We have a unique attitude to protest and internal politics in Bristol and for a moment or two in lockdown, the world's eyes were on this city."

Mr Whitson said a "powerful speech" delivered at a protest gave them the name of the film

The music of drummer Dan Johnson and producer Kayla Painter features throughout the film.

Ms Painter said the pandemic required her to be "totally adaptable and think about how I could try to make a living and have meaningful connection with my fans remotely".

"It feels brilliant to be part of what feels like a huge collage, and really woven into the rich tapestry of our creative community," she said of the documentary.

The documentary explores how Bristolians were impacted by the pandemic

Mr Moody said "one of the most powerful examples of psychological damage" was their interview with local band LBJB's, the house band of Leftbank, which shut down during the pandemic.

"These people describe not being able to pick up the instruments and play on Zoom with each other because it was just damaging being separated.

"They needed to be together, and they couldn't play without each other."

Part of the film focuses on an urban garden scheme that started during the pandemic

He explained the film also looks at "how we continue" following the damage caused by the lockdowns.

"We want the film to be part of the collective healing process, and also a celebration at the same time of our amazing music and the spaces that are being created [post-Covid]."

Mr Whitson added: "It felt important to remind people when we re-emerged of what we need to keep thriving, and also to remind people of the need to support local businesses, venues and artists, especially in the wake of lockdown.

"I hope this film is a catalyst for healing, for having conversations about a fraught time most of us have understandably pushed to the side."

What Does Normal Look Like? will be screened in Bristol at Strange Brew on 22 October, with a live set from Kayla Painter, and at The Cube on 9 November, with a live performance from Dan Johnson.