Trauma healing
A printed book Five Women, Hundred Lives, stories of trauma and dissociation survivors was part of my peer support project. Digital version of the book has in addition 12 short videos about trauma (2 of them shown below). Produced 2016. Learn more about the project here: dissociation.fi
Hidden narratives
Olivia is dancer and survivor of trauma and dissociative disorder. The song is not translated into English but the message is: “If I only could have one day without being fully broken. If one day was different. If only my memories belonged to someone else.”
Irene´s story
Irene´s life story is one of struggle and great strength; leaving a strict and abusive religious cult on her own to live in a children´s home, to being mother and skydiving teacher. Following with years of hospital stay and having to learn to walk again, she is now back to life.
Hidden narratives
Scraps of hope is ethnographic and political research about peace building in Aceh, Indonesia by Marjaana Jauhola. The Finnish Cultural Foundation funded our collaboration in making 12 mini documentaries (2 of them shown below) based on Marjaana´s research. City of Banda Aceh itself has gone through rebuilding in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami and thirty years of armed conflict. Aceh is governed by very strict Sharia´s law. Production years: 2015-2017
Peace for whom?
Video collage by Indonesian activist, researcher, poet and dancer Zubaidah Djohar. “Damai Siapa – Peace for Whom?” -poem asks what is the life like for women in Aceh.
Being a single mother
A is a single mother and a skillful gardener living in Banda Aceh in an after tsunami donated house. Her life is a struggle but she does not give up easily.
Being a poor father
Part of my regular online videos made to Save the Children Finland. (Finnish language). Mathias Rosenlund, author, speaks about relative poverty and how it affects his self confidence. What else poverty is but lack of money? Production year 2014.
Namibian youth
Short documentary in collaboration with TAMK, Tampere University of Applied Science, Finland and their study program in Namibia. Can entrepreneurship change Namibia? What can future Africa look like if young people can put their ideas into practise? This is a short video of business students in the Plemjive collective in Windhoek, Namibia. Production year 2011.
Purification rituals
Part of my nomadic travelling series. Thaipusam Festival in Malaysia is a hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community. It is a very strong celebration for purification of mind and body. Harsh body piercing, shaving heads of the whole family and carrying ‘paal kudam‘ offerings are taking place. Production year 2013.
Eating problems
Personal documentary about myself and my experiences and thoughts about eating problems and how to heal from it. “I found myself repeatedly with an empty fridge. A child inclusive this is not a good combination.” Production year 2015.
Ethical fashion
Introductory video of Mai Niemi, who is a Finnish designer. Her clothing is inspired by ancient Finnish culture and sustainability. Mai wants to present her unique magical Fairytale Fashion in global markets with this video. Production year 2013.
Ethical bank
Introductory video of a new concept. What would an ethical bank look like? Pankki 2.0 group wants to present a new banking concept to Finnish customers. Production year 2012. (Finnish language)
Creative writing
Documentary in collaboration with The Union of Finnish Writers. Finnish, internationally known writer and artist Rosa Liksom portraited in the nineties. This documentary was shot in the times of big changes in Finland when visuals, arts, performance theatre, music and writing became much freer in expression. Production year 1991. (Finnish language)
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About me…
I am Seija Virva Hirstiö, web-designer and video maker. With these medias I want to support and make visible the kind of people that want to better humankind in one way or other. My work is reasonable priced and at the same time I always give my best in high quality and creativity. I have lived widely around the world and closest to my heart is spiritual consciousness and ethical living. I am caring and good hearted designer.
