S.L.I.F.F. Review: ‘As Slow As Possible’

Travis:

‘As Slow As Possible’ is a documentary by filmmaker Scott Smith. It follows Ryan Knighton as he embarks on a journey to Halberstadt, Germany to experience the first change of notes from an automated organ programmed to play the 639 year long performance of modern composer John Cage’s As Slow As Possible. This composition was created with the intention of every note lasting as long as possible, creating a piece of music that would last the approximate length of the instrument’s lifespan.

However, the film is not about the music. This is the story of Ryan Knighton, a man who at the age of eighteen was told rather bluntly that he would slowly go blind as a result of a rare disease called retinitis pigmentosa. ‘As Slow As Possible’ picks up Knighton’s life 15 years later as he journeys to an old monastery in what was formerly East Germany to witness the first hand-changed note in the epically long organ performance. Knighton interprets the composition as it is being presents as a sort of metaphor for what he is experiencing in the gradual loss of his sight. He speaks about how his vision is escaping him a little at a time, drawing out the inevitable. Knighton explains how currently his vision consists of only a mere pinhole worth of light is viewable in only one eye. He confesses at one point that he would prefer his vision be gone completely that having this “umbilical cord” that keeps him tethered to the past.

‘As Slow As Possible’ is a story of letting go to something we as humans hold dear, and the emotional roller coaster to goes with that process of accepting something we cannot change. In equal doses, the film is personally reflective and  candidly humorous. Knighton meets several people on his journey, some who empathize with him and offer their open hearts and assistance, others who actually question whether he is truly blind. The scene of Ryan discussing his blindness with a young woman who doubts his blindness is both fascinating and frustrating at the same time. She becomes a textbook example of people whose ignorance blinds their ability to be compassionate.

The journey we take with Ryan Knighton is an enlightening one. As he is led into  the monastery by a small boy who offered his assistance, Knighton breaks down in tears in the presence of his destination achieved. At first, the reality of the situation is overwhelming but he soon embraces the organ and its voice with full acceptance and amazement. As an audience, we are taken as passengers by Knighton, allowed to experience his journey with him as he tells us his story and then we are allowed to experience his pay off, a mixed array of emotions from a metaphorical connection to something beautiful. [Overall:  4 stars out of 5]

Festival Screening Date: Saturday, November 22 @ 5:30pm (Tivoli)