The Yellow Ceiling

Renowned filmmaker Isabel Coixet (My Life Without Me, 2003; Learning to Drive, 2014) eyes her subjects through glass, scrims and veils of colour to show that fear, shame and disbelief obscure how and what we see. Tackling the false assumptions around sexual-abuse victimhood, reporting and neutrality, a group of former students expose a 20-year systemic sexual assault and grooming pattern at the Municipal Theatre School in Lleida, Catalonia. The Yellow Ceiling is a direct response to the legal case filed by nine students against two teachers for sexual abuse that occurred when they were teenagers, which was dismissed due to an expired limitation period. In a fluid testimonial that combines the voices and experiences of many survivors while still individuating them, Coixet powerfully demonstrates that looking and seeing are not the same, just as hearing and listening are not. This film forces a reorientation of blame, permission in performing-arts education, and support for those who report sexual crimes. Ten new cases have come forward since the film's release (all within the statute of limitations) as the demand for accountability and prevention continues. Angie Driscoll

Streaming online May 5-9. Streaming is only available in Canada.