As Slow As Possible

Director: Scott Smith
Featuring: Ryan Knighton
Co-Producers: Giraffe Productions (British Colombia), Federgreen Entertainment (Ontario)
Trailer: Click here

Synopsis

On his 18th birthday Ryan Knighton was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and told he would eventually go blind. It has taken 15 years, but now Ryan has less than 1% of his vision left in one eye, as he waits for the last little bit to go.

Meanwhile, in Germany, John Cage’s As Slow as Possible is playing on a pipe organ in an ancient monastery. Expanded from its original 20 minutes, the piece will now take 639 years to perform. Single notes last months, years and even decades, and the performance won’t end until September 2639.

On his first official outing as a blind man, Ryan heads to this monastery in a symbolic act of faith. As one symbolic note gives away to another Ryan readies himself to accept change on the cusp of his impending total blindness.

Review

“A beautiful, mindful, philosophical film that quietly reminds us to slow down and see.”
– THE NATIONAL POST

Festivals

Hot Docs International Documentary Festival • Vancouver International Film Festival • Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival