Miller Fisher

August 18, 2016

Miller Fisher amalgamates the distorted visual, physical and existential experience of an autoimmune disorder by the same name, with the aesthetics and vernacular of the animated GIF.

Directed, animated and composed by Faiyaz Jafri
Produced by Hyper-Unrealism / Faiyaz Jafri
All rights reserved © 2016 by Faiyaz Jafri / Hyper-Unrealism

Director’s Statement

Early 2004 I was diagnosed with Miller Fisher syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by paralysis of the eye muscles (Ophthalmoplegia), abnormal muscle coordination (Ataxia) and absence of the tendon reflexes (Areflexia).
As a visual artist, the loss of control of one’s eyes led to an existential crisis and resulted in the permanent loss of perfect sight and immaculate night vision.

What is Miller Fisher Syndrome?

It is a rare, acquired nerve disease that is considered to be a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is characterized by abnormal muscle coordination, paralysis of the eye muscles, and absence of the tendon reflexes. Like Guillain-Barré syndrome, symptoms may be preceded by a viral illness. Additional symptoms include generalized muscle weakness and respiratory failure.

Official Selections

• Holland Animation Film Festival, World Premiere, Utrecht, The Netherlands (March 22 – 26, 2017)
• Anifilm 2017, Trebon, Czech Republic (May 2 – 7, 2017)
• Athens Animfest, Athens, Greece (Match 16 – 22, 2017)
• Brooklyn Film Festival, Brooklyn, USA (June 2 – 11, 2017)
• Hell De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Sept 13 – 19, 2018)
• Paris International Animation Film Festival, Paris, France (Sept 20 – 26, 2017)
• CutOut Fest, Querétaro, Mexico (Nov 9 – 12, 2017)
• 4FICAE Festival, Valencia, Spain (Feb 27, 2018)
• 30th Dresden Filmfest, Dresden, Germany (Apr 17 – 22, 2018)
• Animac, Lleida, Spain (Feb. 22 – 25, 2018)
• GLAS Animation Festival, Berkely, USA (Mar 22 – 25, 2018)
• 30th Society for Animation Studies Conference, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada (June 18 – 22, 2018)
• 11th Klik Amsterdam Animation Festival (Oct 10 – 14, 2018)
• Ottawa International Animation Festival, Ottawa, Canada (Sept 25 – 29, 2019)

Stills