Volunteer Spotlight: The Opener

Written By Lillian Wojcik

The Opener is a feel-good celebration of creativity in all its forms

The Opener is a charming exploration of creativity, connection and ambition, born from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. It captures the emotional turmoil many faced during lockdowns, highlighting moments of both fear and resilience as we follow Philip Labes’ journey: from writing songs for TikTok in his isolated apartment, to opening on tour for superstar Jason Mraz. 

“Jeff’s foray back into filmmaking for this project is a direct reflection of what seems to be the film’s ethos: that the real purpose of creating art is to foster emotional connections with other people, and that can happen successfully on any scale.”

The film begins by telling us the story of Philip’s rise on TikTok during lockdown. It conjures poignant memories from that time: the loneliness, the ambivalence, the yearn for community, and even the absurdity. I cringed as Philip recalls using Windex on his groceries—a callback to the paranoia of those times.

In an effort to battle an all-too-familiar creeping depression, Philip decided to start writing a song per day, and perform them on TikTok live streams. His videos developed an audience, and one day - perhaps as a testament to the almighty algorithm - Jason Mraz swiped into one of the live streams, and was so impressed he invited Philip to join him on tour. 

Thus Philip’s adventure began. He piled into a van with a few friends, and drove off to play for his biggest crowds yet, encountering many hiccups along the way, and ultimately trying to come to terms with his family’s ideology on art, creation and success. 

Throughout the documentary, we witness Philip’s journey through the eyes of his high school friend, Jeff Toye, a social worker who once dreamed of becoming a film director before more practical life considerations led him down a different path. Jeff’s foray back into filmmaking for this project is a direct reflection of what seems to be the film’s ethos: that the real purpose of creating art is to foster emotional connections with other people, and that can happen successfully on any scale. 

“a poignant reminder that, even in the midst of isolation, we are never truly alone.”

What sets The Opener apart from typical artist documentaries is its focus on relatability. It transcends the typical rockstar narrative, embracing a more intimate perspective on pursuing dreams and creative expression from whatever level you’re at. The partnership between Jason and Philip originating on TikTok symbolizes a new era of DIY artistry, and the unique paths to recognition that social media can offer. The film also emphasizes the power of social media to foster community, especially when physical connection was impossible.

Ultimately, The Opener is a feel-good celebration of creativity in all its forms, encouraging viewers to affirm their place in the world and embrace their artistic journeys, even when self-doubt creeps in. And it's a poignant reminder that, even in the midst of isolation, we are never truly alone.

The Opener is screening as part of the Bushwick Film Festival on October 17 at Williamsburg Cinemas. You can purchase tickets here