Empathy is disruptive

Growing up, I was often labelled as over-sensitive and emotional.

I don’t think I was particularly reactive - I simply struggled to understand and navigate the cruelty of school children. From a young age I expected empathy and understanding.

One thing I likely am is a HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), and it has always baffled me how so many elements of these identities, superpowers if you will, are overlooked or dismissed as weaknesses.

Empathy is not weak.

Empathy is disruptive.

In Mill Road’s case, it by far our greatest strength.
 
In order to challenge the status quo, you first need to understand it – why things are the way they are, why audiences hold certain opinions and beliefs, what will they relate to, what is going to make them listen, what will draw them in.
 
Empathy allows you to do that, it allows you to fully grasp the perspective of others – so that when you make the film that urges them to think a little bit more carefully, that makes them question what they already know, that starts to shift their mindset, you are fully armed to hammer that message home so that it lands with force and impact.
 
Empathy is not weak. It can disrupt, it can act intelligently, it can make change.