Film Lens
Hotline is a documentary directed by Tony Shaff that examines the connections formed through anonymous telephone conversations across the United States. The film features various hotlines, including the GLBT Hotline and the Homework Hotline in Nashville, highlighting the stories of individuals like Miss Cleo and crisis counselors such as Jamie Blaine. Through these profiles, the film presents a range of experiences and the significance of talking to strangers when discussing personal issues.
The documentary was filmed in multiple locations and includes insights from volunteers at the Anti-Violence Project and the Samaritans in New York. Shaff, who has a background as a telephone psychic and suicide prevention hotline volunteer, uses a unique score inspired by the sound of a telephone dial tone to enhance the viewing experience. The film premiered at Hot Docs in April 2014 and later won awards at various film festivals, including First Prize for Best Feature Documentary at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Why Watch
- •Meet Miss Cleo and her unique hotline story
- •Find out about the GLBT Hotline's impact
- •See how anonymous conversations can change lives
Did You Know
•Hotline won First Prize for Best Feature Documentary on August 9, 2014.
•The film features Miss Cleo, known from the Psychic Readers Network.
•Hotline was first shown at Hot Docs in April 2014.
•The film was released in theaters and on iTunes on November 18, 2014.
Perfect For
Mental health advocatesDocumentary enthusiastsFans of telephone culture