DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
by Danièle Wilmouth & Peter Carpenter
Making 'Just to Say I’m Fine' was an ongoing meditation on themes of fear, loss, grief and connection in spite of it all. As a documentary, the film contains personal stories of real events from the lives of the performers, who are playing themselves in the film. These diaristic accounts were then transformed into highly physical dance choreography. This process was profoundly connected to the ways we see dance-for-camera being uniquely adept at exploring trauma and memory, which are both housed deep within the body. Throughout 'Just to Say I’m Fine', the performers play and replay moments from their pasts - moments of disappointment and regret, before ultimately finding hope.
Dance & Media Japan / International Dance Film Festival
May 2, 2026
Saitama Art Theater, Saitama City, Japan
53rd Athens International Film & Video Festival
April 14, 2026 @ 3:15pm
The Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court Street, Athens, OH
CREDITS
Photos by Calla Flanagan
Copyright 2026 - Danièle Wilmouth & Peter Carpenter. All Right Reserved
Experimental Screendance Documentary
Color 4K Digital Video, 15 minutes, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Hindsight is 20/20. It is much easier to see something clearly after it has already happened. Through the lens of dance and documentary, ‘Just to Say I’m Fine’ follows four middle-aged performers as they take a candid look back on transformative moments from their pasts.
A collaboration between choreographer Peter Carpenter and filmmaker Danièle Wilmouth, 'Just to Say I’m Fine' translates vulnerable, highly physical diaristic accounts of personal experience into movement and choreography for the camera. It tracks a journey from regret to acceptance and isolation to connection - exploring guilt, compassion and empathy.