Some Inattention On The Left
Some Inattention On The Left is a powerful multi-sensory VR documentary that explores the journey of Elizabeth Printer, who suffered a stroke and brain haemorrhage at just 46 years old. Seated in a wheelchair on a serene beach, viewers feel a gentle breeze as Elizabeth recounts the life-changing day of her stroke and the challenges that followed, including neglect by both her family and the NHS. As she describes her darkest moments, including a suicide attempt, the peaceful beach transforms into a haunting, nightmarish landscape, immersing viewers in her emotional turmoil. But amidst the darkness, the question remains: is there hope for recovery and redemption?
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy leads a coalition of 20 charities, including Sue Ryder, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, and the British Heart Foundation, to present a manifesto to Parliament. Their goal is to ensure accessible, person-centred community rehabilitation services for everyone who needs them, enabling people to live healthier, longer lives. East City Films, alongside project initiator Connie Harrison, was commissioned to create a VR experience as the centrepiece for the manifesto’s launch event, held at Portcullis House to engage and lobby parliamentary MPs.
Recognising VR’s ability to quickly evoke empathy, we chose to tell the story of someone who had suffered a stroke and been denied the necessary community rehabilitation for a full recovery. With the support of the Stroke Association, we met Elizabeth Printer, a mother of two and former judge from Portsmouth, whose life was upended by a brain haemorrhage at the age of 46. After waiting seven months for NHS community rehabilitation, Elizabeth was forced to pay for private therapy to relearn how to walk.
“The NHS saved my life in an emergency but then failed to help me recover any of the life I once had,” said Elizabeth, now 54. “I had to teach myself to walk again. I wanted to get well for my daughters, but there was no support or guidance about how I could do this. I just needed the right rehab, treatment, and care, but it was never there.”
As a result, Elizabeth had to retire from her career, her marriage broke down, and she continues to experience pain and depression. This was the story we sought to share, immersing MPs in her world to shed light on the urgent need for improved community rehabilitation services.
"People like me with long-term health conditions are currently being abandoned after diagnosis or discharge, due to inadequate community care. I lost my career and my family – and became suicidal – as a result."
- Elizabeth Printer
Director Connie Harrison (Somnai, Call of Duty) and producer Hugo Godwin (Ten Billion, Lost Worlds: Deeper into the Black Sea) took an audio-first approach to create Some Inattention On The Left. They interviewed Elizabeth three times at her home in Portsmouth, intentionally leaving the camera behind to ensure she felt as comfortable as possible while recounting her deeply painful experiences. From over three hours of recorded conversations, we carefully edited the content down to a powerful six-minute audio piece, forming the emotional foundation of the VR experience.
The VR filming took place on Eastney Beach, Portsmouth, a location of personal significance to Elizabeth. Our goal was to immerse the viewer in this environment, seated on the beach and experiencing Elizabeth’s story from a wheelchair’s perspective. By fostering this sense of presence, we aimed to create a space where viewers could absorb and empathise with Elizabeth’s journey.
At a critical moment in the experience, viewers leave the naturalistic beach setting for an abstract, disorienting sequence that mirrors Elizabeth’s bleakest emotional state during her recovery. This was achieved using volumetric capture, with actress and movement director Emily Mytton portraying Elizabeth’s struggle at its most harrowing point. Stunning motion graphics by Andrew Overton, combined with the Azure Kinect camera and Depthkit workflow, brought this intense moment to life.
As always, spatial sound played a key role in crafting an immersive atmosphere. The evocative audio design featured the sounds of crashing waves, barking dogs, and ambient beach life, paired with two licensed tracks: Anthropocene by Loscil (courtesy of Kranky) and The Rhythm Of A Dividing Pair by A Winged Victory For The Sullen (courtesy of Ninja Tune). These elements worked together to create the emotional tone we needed.
For the event at Portcullis House, we added a multi-sensory layer to the experience. Collaborating with technical designer Mike Ross, we introduced wheelchairs, lap rugs, DMX-controlled fans, and Subpacs that simulated sea wind and subtle vibrations. These tactile elements heightened the realism, allowing participants to feel wind on their faces and vibrations through their bodies, fully immersing them in Elizabeth’s story.
The event was a resounding success. MPs, including Justin Tomlinson MP (Minister for Disabled People), Jim Shannon MP (DUP Health Spokesperson), and Baroness Masham of Ilton (disability campaigner), experienced Some Inattention On The Left firsthand. Co-sponsored by Steve Brine MP, the event brought attention to the manifesto presented by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. After the VR experience, MPs were invited to share their reflections and pledge their support, helping to drive meaningful discussions about disability and rehabilitation.
