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RESUME / BIO
Mending
Spirits, a documentary film about the emotional,
spiritual and psychological journeys
of women who leave abusive relationships is Monica
Plunkett’s first effort at filmmaking and she
reached this destination on an unlikely journey of her
own.
She began first with a career in healthcare. Working as
a therapist in nursing homes and a
rehabilitation hospital. A 1987 bicycle trip through
China prompted her to make a sharp career
change to international education, a career she
continues today at a university.
Often frustrating her parents with constantly changing
interests, Plunkett, grew up in Youngstown,
Ohio and now resides in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Her
high school English teacher who offered a
semester studying the films of Ingmar Bergman first
introduced her to film as an art form. “This
completely changed the way I experienced films,” said
Plunkett.
In the early 90s Plunkett became involved in a
relationship that became mentally and verbally
abusive and finally at the point of departure, became
physically abusive. “After leaving it was very
difficult to put the experience in to perspective and
there was a recovery period that no one, with
the exception of women who had experienced abuse seemed
to understand,” said Plunkett and
I wanted to change that.
A still photography buff, but with no formal training
in filmmaking, Monica set out to make Mending
Spirits. Through networking and on a sharp learning
curve herself, she completed the film.
The film evokes important themes in her own life. The
symbolic use of nature figures prominently
in the film, as does the inclusion of women from other
cultures. Poetry, including a poem from her
favorite poet, Emily Dickinson and artwork serve as
transitions.
“Art, nature and culture are reoccurring touchstones
for me,” said Plunkett.
Though coming late to filmmaking, she believes that her
previous work experiences enhance her
ability to understand others.
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