# Pixela Films' "The Last Yztari" Merges Innovation & Imagination to Cope with Trauma

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/making-media-now-2373812/pixela-films-the-last-yztari-merges-innovation-imagination-to-cope-with-trauma
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/making-media-now-2373812/pixela-films-the-last-yztari-merges-innovation-imagination-to-cope-with-trauma.md
Podcast: [Making Media Now](https://stenobird.com/podcast/making-media-now-2373812)
Published: 2025-12-09T14:00:16+00:00
Episode link: https://fcmakingmedia.podbean.com/e/pixela-films-the-last-yztari-merges-innovation-imagination-to-cope-with-trauma/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/zh6per5au5xce5vr/Episode_16864dkp.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/making-media-now-2373812/episodes/pixela-films-the-last-yztari-merges-innovation-imagination-to-cope-with-trauma
Duration seconds: 3815

## Resource

On this episode, host Michael Azevedo joined by long-time friend of the podcast Tim O’Donnell of Pixela Films and by first-time guest Mary Dague to discuss the just-completed film, "The Last Yztari." This innovative and moving film tells the story of how after using her body as a shield to protect her unit from an IED in Iraq, Mary Dague is left medically retired, missing both arms from the elbow down. Many years after returning home, she finds a new place in online gaming communities as she adapts her controllers to work with her feet. When her active-military husband readies to deploy again Mary is faced with the trauma of the past and the worry for her partner's yet to be diagnosed PTSD. The film explores the liminal space between trauma and healing, and this world and a fantasy space where old wounds might present themselves as future insights or abilities. The film weaves observational documentary with an original generative AI system built from Mary's own fantasy novel. The novel itself a secret only revealed to the filmmakers and her husband after seven years of writing. Making Media Now is sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting media makers from across the creative spectrum. From providing fiscal sponsorship to presenting an array of informative and educational programs, Filmmakers Collaborative supports creatives at every step in their journey. About the host: www.writevoicecreative.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-azevedo/ Sound Engineer: A.J. Kierstead

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