Filmmakers brought their latest documentaries to St. George as DOCUTAH kicked off its 16th year with masterclasses Feb. 26 and 27 at Utah Tech University’s Holland Centennial Commons.
DOCUTAH offers three days of newly released documentary films, showcasing in the Megaplex Theatre on Sunset Boulevard from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28.
The masterclass that was held Feb. 27 showcased filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford and her documentary “Before the Moon Falls,” which first premiered in 2025.
“Before the Moon Falls“
The film follows an eight-year journey with the Samoan writer Sia Figiel and her struggles with her mental and physical health. The documentary showed viewers the ups and downs in Figiel’s life, dealing with bipolar disorder before leading to a tragic event, how it affected her, and others around her.
“It was just supposed to be about her [Figiel’s] walk across America, but when the walk finished, we realized we didn’t have a full film there,” Bassford said. “We continued filming, and that’s when she started to share some of her personal struggles, which were mental health.”
Sensitive topics that were depicted in Figiel’s life involved mental health, suicide, sexual abuse and violence.
During the documentary’s showing, multiple audience members cried at the story and emotions that were shown. Bassford included written works from Figiel, such as poetry and short stories, to convey what Figiel was going through in her life and her past experiences.
Questions and answers
After the documentary was over, the masterclass had a Q&A segment for audiences to ask Bassford questions about the process and effects of making the documentary.
“I put a lot of my thoughts and feelings into this film; it’s very complex and I know this is also a very tough film for people,” Bassford said. “This story asks you to hold many complicated and sometimes contradictory feelings at once and I just think that’s how life is. It can be messy.”
Bassford didn’t anticipate what the documentary would be about after Figiel’s walk across America, since that was the main event that was filmed, but Bassford continued to follow along with Figiel’s life.
“I think what my original thought with this film was really to show Sia as humanity in all its forms,” Bassford said. “I think that is the role of art, to not shy away from things that might be too difficult and hard to talk about, and I hope that this film will get people to talk about these things.”
On the questions and answers panel, Utah Tech psychology professor Lisa Scott was there to talk about the mental health aspects of the documentary.
“I think that’s good for people to know that there’s a spectrum of bipolar,” Scott said. “To be honest, I wonder and hope for better treatment for people with bipolar.”
Tisa Zito, DOCUTAH program director, was able to gave additional insight.
“Sometimes [bipolar] increases the drive to be creative because sometimes you enter a manic state,” Zito said. “You create wonderful things, but at the cost of yourself.”
