How Krisitan Young Intertwined the Bonds of Brotherhood with Healthcare for ‘6 Times Open' Documentary

The team at Creep chats with director Krisitan Young about the film ‘6 Times Open’ which they created in 2019 and screened last friday.

Q> How did you get onboard making the film?

Krisitan> After meeting with twins Jonathan and David for the first time in 2015 during their fundraising campaign for the British Heart Foundation, I knew we had to make this film come to life and turn the story into something incredible by documenting their journey moving forward. The filming would all take place in my hometown of Newcastle which was a huge reason for getting involved, but the profound experience of meeting Jonathan who was facing his sixth open-heart surgery in his early thirties was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

Q> What is the film about?

Krisitan> In the documentary, we delve into Jonathan and his family's journey, exploring the events leading up to this critical moment, a sixth open heart surgery. By following Jonathan, David, and their family through the surgery, we provide a deeply personal and multifaceted perspective that intertwines the bonds of brotherhood, faith, resilience and healthcare. Our unprecedented access allowed us to capture Jonathan’s story in a uniquely intimate way.

"Heart surgery is brutal. A physical, and psychological assault, with a signature calling card, a scar.It changes everything, your breakfast, your routine, your life. It not only affects the individual but also the family that waits in the vacuum created, as time stands still. One is rare. Six is unheard of. With exclusive access, we follow the true story of one family’s journey into heart surgery for the sixth time."

Q> What was the toughest part of making the documentary?

Krisitan> Creating Six Times Open was a labour of love, made possible by a small, talented crew of North-East-based crew. Filming across an entire year, we had to be agile, especially when Jonathan received his surgery date with just days' notice. The challenge was immense, but the result is a raw and unfiltered portrayal that speaks for itself. I’m particularly proud of how we shaped this story into an artistic piece during the editing process when it so easily could have been a play by play account of each passing day. That is testament to the creative freedom we were allowed piecing it together. 

With production support from Burning Reel during the filming process and their sister company Creep handling the edit the team it was a truly collaborative effort from a range of talented creatives.

Q> What is the plan moving forward?

Krisitan> The film has had two private screenings in Newcastle at the Tyneside Cinema and London at the Curzon Cinema and will begin the festival circuit in early 2025.