I Made This for You

Whilst I Made This for You might present itself as a work of fiction, the story will be true for so many. As the title card reads: “In the UK and Ireland more than 125 people will commit suicide this week.” It’s hard not to feel emotional from the premise of the film alone, as the subject touches everyone in some way. But I Made This for You is more about love and the path back. It is a journey of understanding for the inexperienced, and a call-out to those battling with darkness that there is a way out.

Al (Gary Grant), after a recent suicide attempt and continued withdrawal from the world, is given a film made by his friend Danny (writer and director Cristian Solimeno) – a series of interviews from his nearest and dearest explaining their love for Al.

The talking heads structure of the film is derivative, but the end result is very unique. Solimeno has created a powerful piece of art, understanding the control that pain and desperation have on a person. But these are only utilised in the film to prove the legitimacy of love and as a demonstration of human frailty.

The amateur nature of the shots and performances add to I Made This for You‘s ingenuity, but its emotion is delivered through an intelligent collection of forthright stories about Al’s life. The understanding of expectations versus reality, the silliness of friendship, the ramifications of a broken heart that can force a person into a desperate act – these are delivered so meaningfully and the truth in this “fiction” is all too apparent.

Unfortunately, the picture was touched by its own subject matter in a very real way, as one of the stars, Billy Yates, took his own life while the film was in post-production. The difficulty of completing this project as a result is overruled by the importance of its life-affirming message.

Brady Clark

I Made This for You is released digitally on demand on 10^th September 2020. It will be available to stream free from 10^th September until 10^th October. For further information visit the film’s website here.