Pro Infirmis: Fear Paralyses

A poignant tale of paralysis – both physical and mental.

In this affecting spot from agency Jung von Matt, Zurich, Swiss disability charity, Pro Infirmis, seeks to raise awareness of the 800,000 people in Switzerland crippled by social anxiety disorders like panic attacks and agoraphobia. 

Co-produced by Bacon and Pumpkin Film in Switzerland and directed by Martin Werner, Fear Paralyses sees a wheelchair-bound man embark on a shopping trip with a younger man sitting on his lap, holding on tightly like a child.

Dialogue-free and beautifully acted, the story initially seems to be that the younger man, who is clearly distressed, is also unable to walk, but – after the pair have successfully negotiated lifts, public transport, crowds and the various obstacles of daily life that challenge wheelchair users and anxiety sufferers alike – the physically disabled man delivers the younger man safely back to his front door, whereupon he climbs off his mentor’s lap. Not only has he got his shopping in, he’s learnt that with a bit of courage the outside world doesn’t have to be as scary as he fears.