Grief, healing and laughter coexist at a unique retreat for widows and widowers

More than just a dramatic and devastating change in one’s life trajectory, losing an intimate partner can leave widows and widowers experiencing a loneliness that’s deepened by being around friends and family who, despite the best of intentions, can’t truly know their pain. This moving short documentary takes viewers inside a Camp Widow retreat, where those who’ve lost a partner are given an opportunity to connect and access resources to help them navigate this life stage.

In their tender portrait, the US filmmakers Laura Green and Anna Moot-Levin capture candid moments from the weekend. Each of the film’s subjects offers a generous glimpse into the challenges they face, including honest discussions about difficult topics like grappling with feelings of anger toward the departed, re-entering the dating world and simply making it through the day – alongside a healthy dose of dark humour. The resulting portrait invites viewers to sit with these diverse and complex stories of grief, even if they can never fully understand them.