The Documentary Look Into My Eyes Profiles the Psychics of New York City

As a seasoned moviegoer with a soft spot for documentaries that delve deep into the human experience, I must say I am intrigued by “Look Into My Eyes.” Having spent countless hours in dimly-lit theaters, I’ve seen my fair share of stories unfold on screen, but this one seems to strike a unique chord.

On September 6th, the documentary film titled “Into My Eyes” will be released in cinemas, offering viewers an exclusive look at the day-to-day lives of seven psychics based in New York City, as they perform readings for their clients and reveal the secrets behind their mystical practices.

The documentary does not aim to persuade audiences that psychics are authentic or fraudulent; rather, it leaves this judgment up to the viewers. As director Lana Wilson explains, her intention was to offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what it truly involves to partake in a psychic reading. This project follows her previous documentaries, including “Miss Americana” and “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields.”

Wilson explains to TIME that he’s not intending to prove the authenticity of psychic readings. Instead, his goal is to provide individuals with a simulated psychic reading experience, offering them an opportunity to grasp the idea that this practice serves as a means for dealing with life’s challenges such as loss, grief, and pain, providing a safe space to process these emotions.

Making the movie

A clairvoyant or medium is an individual who asserts they can talk to spirits from beyond and foresee events, with varying degrees of both abilities. During the American Civil War, communicating with the deceased gained traction due to the immense loss of loved ones, leaving many people seeking a way to keep their bond alive.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson reached out to multiple psychics out of curiosity to understand their experiences during such an uncertain time. Once given approval to produce her film, Wilson spoke with over 150 mediums in search of suitable characters. She was granted access to record some of their sessions and even allowed inside their homes. As psychics often face negative perceptions due to allegations of exploitative practices, Wilson told TIME that she aimed to find individuals who were sincere about their work, open to questioning and doubting their actions, but ultimately striving to connect with something greater than themselves.

To gather participants for the movie’s scenes, a team of production assistants who were fluent in 11 languages established booths offering complimentary psychic readings in New York parks and near grocery stores. These assistants initiated conversations with potential clients and then one of the filmmakers conducted more detailed interviews with them over Zoom. The chosen participants that appeared in the film were primarily selected from these city-set tables. Approximately 90% of the scenes in the movie were captured at these urban locations.

What it’s like to be psychic

Several characters in the movie had dreams of becoming actors or entertainers instead of psychics. Michael Kim, for instance, is an actor juggling auditions alongside his psychic sessions. Eugene Grygo, who’s a playwright and screenwriter, has a fondness for singing and can be seen taking voice lessons in the film as he gears up to perform “And So It Goes” at an open mic night. Sherrie Lynne, known as a “party psychic”, has an artistic background; she was trained in art school and is depicted painting throughout the movie. Phoebe Hoffman, who claims to communicate with people’s pets telepathically, harbors ambitions of being an actress and showcases her love for John Waters through her themed living room.

Many of the showcased psychics had challenging childhoods and suffered losses at a tender age, which allows them to relate to their clients on a deeper level. Grygo chokes up as he recalls the loss of his brother during his teenage years. Kim is able to open up about his own difficulties, such as being an adopted child raised by white parents, to a client who shares similar background and seeks guidance on contacting her biological parents. Psychic Per Erik Borja becomes emotional while discussing the void left by the death of his best friend, acknowledging in the documentary that despite their abilities, they too are blind when it comes to understanding their own lives.

The documentary implies that the validity of psychic readings is not the main focus. Instead, it highlights the value of one-on-one conversations between strangers, or companionship, as more significant. As Ilka Poinheiro, a psychic featured in the film, explains, “It doesn’t matter whether it resonates or not; what matters is if it connects with the person I’m speaking to.”

Wilson intends for her audience to witness the healing power of confiding in an empathetic listener or engaging in an experience that fosters understanding. As she expresses to TIME, “Ultimately, it’s all about the bond. Humans have such a profound need to be truly seen and connected with others. It’s like discovering magic when it happens, and this can transpire through a psychic reading, a conversation, when you’re conversing with a spiritual leader, or even while watching a movie or reading a book.”

2024-09-06 16:08

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