ARIK DEVENS

2020

I don’t even know where to start. I write these posts primarily for the future. Oh sure, they also help me look back on the year and reflect, and put things in perspective. But, really, they’re here so that in the years to come I can look back and see what I was thinking at a particular time. I imagine this will be an especially useful time capsule to have someday.

2020, not my favorite year. Hah, that’s the understatement of a lifetime. I don’t know anyone for whom this isn’t at least in their bottom handful of years period. It’s been, well, it’s been awful. Most of the year feels stolen from all of us, like it’s still somehow mid-March, even though we’re almost at March all over again.

On the other hand, a lot of very positive things happened for me personally this year. My son continues to grow and astonish me in everything he does. I moved, and then temporarily moved again. I watched more films than I have in ages, and felt less pressure to do anything else. In all those ways, maybe I’ll remember 2020 in a strangely fond light, at least if I ignore everything else that was going on.

The world is a mess. There are so many real, actual, things happening that are scary and worrying. On top of that, we’re surrounded by a media based on fear, who are feverishly monetizing our humanity away from us. Our politicians are grifters and our systems are proving to be upsettingly fragile. It’s enough to keep anyone up at night.

As usual, film has helped me find a way forward, through it all. This project, which began as a lark, and then as a purpose, has become a form of meditation. It’s a way to keep myself balanced and it provides me with so much joy. As long as that remains true, I’ll keep doing it. Thanks to anyone reading for being here with me. Please stay safe. - Dec 28th, 2020