Rob Munday
From sleep-tracking devices to meditation apps and beyond, the wellness industry continues to expand at a remarkable pace – and it is difficult to deny how deeply many of us have, in some form, participated in it. In her second short film, Stitches, actor-turned-director Victoria Frings engages critically with this cultural phenomenon through a narrative centred on self-harm and two sisters whose opposing worldviews reflect differing approaches to healing. The film raises questions about the validity of seeking quick and easy solutions, while also considering whether meaningful recovery requires a more personal, self-directed approach.
Adapted from a stage play written by Leah Franqui – which Frings produced and starred in in 2015 – the project initially resonated with the filmmaker for the way it “exposed the fine line between self-harm and self-help in a thoughtfully funny way.” Struck by the story’s lasting relevance, Frings went on to rework the material, “pulling at the threads of the narrative” until it evolved into a short film she felt was both timely and urgent, as well as emotionally and thematically impactful.
Katy Wright-Mead (Sometimes, I Think About Dying) stars as Ava in Stitches
Through the character of Ava – the sister recovering from an episode of self-harm – Frings explains that she sought to pose a central question: “What if, in this modern world where everything is manufactured and people are valued for knowledge work, the most revolutionary act is to make something with our own hands?” While Stitches does not attempt to provide a definitive answer, it instead encourages reflection, prompting audiences to consider their own relationship to wellness, productivity, and forms of self-care.
Beyond communicating the film’s thematic concerns, another key motivation for Frings in making Stitches – and one shared by many short-form filmmakers – was the opportunity to build meaningful creative connections. In particular, she was eager to collaborate within a community of filmmakers, especially “women and non-binary artists.” Such collaborations, often formed early in a filmmaker’s career, frequently extend into future projects and play a crucial role in long-term professional development. With Frings now looking ahead to the development of several film and television projects, we will be following her progress closely; Stitches has firmly established her as a filmmaker worth watching.