The Magic of Chaos is a short film about Headway East London, directed by award-winning director Kit Vincent in collaboration with our community of members and staff.
This poignant documentary invites viewers into the magical world of our Hackney Centre, a sanctuary for over 200 individuals living with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Through their stories, this touching film focuses on the often-hidden nature of acquired brain injury; the cataclysmic effect it has on loved ones and relationships, invisible disability and creating a new sense of self.
The Magic of Chaos offers a glimpse into a space where the transformative power of art, music, food and above all community bring light to lives forever changed by brain injury.
Content warning: References to mental health and suicide.
Whilst the film shows what a joyful place Headway East London is, it also doesn’t shy away from the realities of living with a brain injury. Because of this, there may be scenes that some people might find distressing.
Watch it now!
New: We have submitted The Magic of Chaos for the Smiley Charity Film Awards. Help us get this film the award it deserves: vote here!
ABI is a silent epidemic; every 90 seconds someone from the UK is admitted to hospital with a brain injury.
Support our Community!
We encourage everyone who watches the film to take one action, whether it is sharing it with friends and family, donating to support our services or referring someone who lives with a brain injury.
FAQ
With The Magic of Chaos, we want to raise awareness about what it means to live with a brain injury, through the voices of people with lived experience.
We want to encourage everyone who watches the film to take one action, whether it is sharing it with friends and family, donating to support our work or referring someone to our services.
The film is for personal use only. If you would like to share the film with a wider audience – such as at your venue, or with your colleagues – please contact us to arrange this.
We are offering bespoke screening packages which can include a Q&A with the director, Headway staff and members featured in the film, facilitated discussions and training on specific topics with ABI experts.
To book a screening event or for more information please contact Natalie Clapshaw:
natalie.clapshaw@headwayeastlondon.org or call 020 7749 7814.
We want as many people as possible to see the film!
You can download our promotion pack here.
If you work in media, please contact our Public Engagement and Communications Manager claire.stone@headwayeastlondon.org or download our press release here.
If posting about the film, make sure you tag Headway East London and use the hashtag #headwayeastlondon.
Assets (film stills, posters, images for social media) and the film trailer are available to view, download and share from here.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the film!
Please use this form to send us your feedback.
You can also share a comment on our social media – tag @headwayeastlondon #magicofchaos – or email us at info@headwayeastlondon.org.
Kit Vincent is a London based award-winning filmmaker and ABI survivor.
His films have been supported by BFI Doc Society, Sundance Documentary Film Program, The Whickers, France TV, Jewish Story Partners and Jewish Film Institute.
After being diagnosed with a brain tumour at 24, Kit turned the lens on himself and made his debut feature Red Herring (2023) which documented the absurdity of the things we do to find solace in times of inexplicable tragedy.
Headway East London is a charity supporting people affected by brain injury.
Working across 13 London boroughs we offer specialist support and services for survivors and their families. We offer therapies, advocacy, family support and community support work alongside our day service: a community venue where people can make the most of their abilities and interests and take part in music, art, dance, cooking and many other activities. We have an onsite art studio, Submit to Love, whose mission is ‘discovery through art’.
Our vision is to build a community where people with brain injury are valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential.
If you are living with a brain injury, and would like to find out more about what services you can access or support, please go to:
- If you live in our catchment area: www.headwayeastlondon.org/members/becoming-a-member/
- If you live elsewhere in the UK: www.headway.org.uk/supporting-you/in-your-area/
For more information contact:
eva.oddi@headwayeastlondon.org – Heritage Project Manager & Film Producer
claire.stone@headwayeastlondon.org – Public Engagement & Comms Manager
elisa.braglia@headwayeastlondon.org – Comms & Campaigns Officer
Funders
This project is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
