HOT DOCS: LOVE, SCOTT [2018]

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Jordan Dodd

An incredible story that is hard not to be moved by, Love, Scott is a raw look into the life of Scott Jones who was attacked because of his sexual orientation and consequently paralysed from the waist down.

Laura Marie Wayne constructs a unique documentary, with many experimental and beautiful looking visual effects and cinematography. This is combined with a score by Sigur Rós that, never intruding, matches the tone of the film perfectly yet rising when appropriate, making for an remarkable visual and auditory experience to capture this story.

Split into three distinct chapters and filmed over three years by his best friend, it is staggering how honest, open and emotional Scott is on camera, baring all and not holding back despite a camera in his face for such a long time. Laughter, tears, the camera is truly not apparent to him.

During the film he alternates between a fear of loneliness and uncertain future, to a drive to push through the trauma and live a happy life. At one point he decides to go to where the attack happened, and it is clear his emotions are mixed. This trip triggers him to want to reach out the the perpetrator of his attack, but he cannot pin down an exact reason why. Part of him is incredibly cautious about this whole experience.

It soon becomes obvious that music is a huge part of his life, as early when asked what he missed most without the use of his legs, his answer was the pedals on a piano. Unable to play the instrument he loved, he continues to play music by singing with his friend and, more importantly, becoming a conductor, resulting in some truly amazing music and revealing the musical talent that lay under the surface, perhaps a result of the pain he has gone through. His conducting methods are incredibly understanding, as he meticulously arranges his music while maintaining a pleasant and approachable exterior.

This is not simply a documentary about a gay man who was attacked. It is a poetic portrait of a courageous man who is taking back control of his life. Anyone who is not moved by this film must not have a heart, or is a raging homophobe; people such as this are why Scott was attacked in the first place. But the story is not about the attacker- rarely if ever mentioned by name- the story is about willpower and what the human mind is able to achieve despite major set-backs.