Sinneslös

Challenge

The main challenge was to portray a personal story about a rare disease in an emotional and authentic way without reducing the individual to his diagnosis. Balancing Vilmer's personal struggle with a strong visual narrative, while also educating the audience about LHON and inspiring them through his sports journey, required both in-depth research and sensitive storytelling. Additionally, the international context and the competition in Rio presented logistical and production challenges.

Solution

To address these challenges, me and Alexander Edqvist from the Swedish Skateboard Association discussed extensively how we wanted the documentary to be told. We considered using a narrator to describe Vilmer's life and emotions surrounding both his condition and the expectations and challenges of traveling to Rio to compete. Ultimately, we decided that Vilmer should tell his own story, using his voice without a voiceover. The visuals and his interactions would convey the narrative. This approach was chosen to ensure that Vilmer would not be portrayed differently than intended and to allow viewers to experience a sense of authenticity.

Results

The documentary "Sinneslös" premiered at Folkteatern in Gothenburg on January 24, 2025, with over 120 attendees. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, sparking strong emotions, discussions, and inspiration among the audience. Since the premiere, the documentary has gained significant traction online, reaching over 1,800 views within the first 24 hours and receiving an outpouring of positive feedback from all directions.

We are now in discussions with SVT regarding a potential broadcast and are also planning a Stockholm premiere to expand our reach even further.

Before the premiere, I presented the documentary to the Swedish Skateboard Association, where it was met with great enthusiasm. This led to conversations about creating more documentaries that highlight inspiring individuals overcoming life’s challenges.

A trailer shared on Instagram in collaboration with the association has gathered over 10,000 views, generating engagement and excitement. The full film is now available on YouTube, ensuring that it continues to reach and inspire people with disabilities to explore skateboarding and embrace the belief that anything is possible.

Here are the highlights from the premiere night at Folkteatern