'MENDING SPIRITS' Film tells of survival after violence

She said the documentary is not depressing but is filled with hope instead.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
A documentary film directed, produced and edited by a former Youngstown woman will premiere Thursday at the Cedar Lee Theater near Cleveland.
Monica Plunkett's film, "Mending Spirits," is about women who have not only survived but have thrived after escaping abusive relationships.
All proceeds benefit the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
Plunkett's first film, in the making for a decade, "Mending Spirits" grew out of her need to heal from her own experience with domestic violence.
"I was in a relationship for two years that was emotionally and psychologically abusive," she said. "When I tried to leave, it became physically abusive. Abusive men feel the need to increase their levels of abuse when they lose control."
Plunkett has come a long way since she started the film. She is now the manager of international student services at Cleveland State University, but when she began the film, she was teaching part time and had no money or experience in film making. What she did have was a strong inner calling to do this project.
Means of healing
"In the beginning, it was a means of healing and closure for me, but toward the end, I became more separated, more objective as a film editor," Plunkett said. "It was a frustrating process. I like to get things done and had a clear picture in my head of what I wanted the film to be. There were money problems. Sometimes nothing would happen for a year. But I met wonderful people and did lots of networking. I had help from women and men, like with technical support, and the help of two editors. Odd things would happen, like meeting exactly the person I needed."
Plunkett persevered despite hardships. "I could not imagine not finishing this film," she said. "These women trusted me, and I needed to honor them and their bravery. There has been lots done on domestic violence, but this is different. It is not a depressing film but filled with hope. I understand how much courage it takes to leave an abusive situation."
Universal themes
The film focuses on three Northeast Ohio women and their success stories, but many other people played a part.
Poetry readings are included. "My favorite is by Emily Dickinson," Plunkett said. "It begins 'I felt a funeral in my brain,' and is about spiritual death and thoughts to begin again."
Plunkett wanted to stress the universality of domestic abuse and traveled as far as Beijing to the U.N. Conference on Women for the film. "I wanted to include many different accents," she said. "And I had women write their thoughts in a journal, in all different languages. At one point in the film, you will see the journal being held by different hands, all colors. It represents the collective laying down of the burden. And the film covers different themes: forgiveness, spirituality, self-esteem and the process of leaving."
Ohio connections
Lynn Wedekind of Washington state, Plunkett's best friend from Chaney High School, wrote and performed all the music. Art by Cleveland native Constance Pierce and by the women who participated in her workshop, "Visual Journal: Imaging the Interior," is included.
Nancy Neylon, executive director of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, helped Plunkett connect with women who wanted to share their stories. "This is a film of survival and transformation, following these three women to where they are now," said Neylon. "The good thing is, they are past the crisis. It shows other women what is possible."
Neylon, who has worked with domestic abuse for over 20 years, says she continues to be struck by the incredible strength of women and the difficulties they have in extracting themselves from abusive situations. She says that about one in four women has reported domestic abuse.
"The difficulties for women are part of the culture of society," said Neylon. "There is a long history of women as property. In Ohio, there has only been a law against battering since 1979. Pennsylvania was the first to pass a law in 1976."
Plunkett looks back and realizes the amazing trust she had in herself to complete this project. "My vision was so clear, and I became so determined," she said. "This is my contribution to the world."