A personal portrait of the American psychologist whose groundbreaking scientific work investigating the facial expressions of human emotions silently permeates our modern world and the depths and significance of our humanity.
SYNOPSIS
Dr. Paul Ekman’s contributions to the field of psychology are unparalleled.His development of the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and pioneering research on micro expressions have not only advanced scientific understanding but have also had practical applications in most aspects of modern life. From law enforcement agencies using his techniques for deception detection to Hollywood incorporating his concepts into films and television shows, Dr. Ekman’s work has left an indelible mark on society.In the final phase of his career, Ekman’s unique friendship with His Holiness the Dalai Lama has born fruit through multiple projects on emotional awareness, joining eastern contemplative practices and traditions with western science.
Emotions Revealed: The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Ekman is a documentary film that seeks to delve deep into Ekman’s enduring legacy. Through captivating visuals, unique archival sources, and interviews with the man himself, key people in his life, and insightful experts, this film illuminates Ekman’s profound impact on modern society – from mental health and lie detection to pop culture and the new era of AI. Emotions Revealed explores the significant impact of Ekman’s contributions in our own lives and how his discoveries continue to influence our understanding of the human psyche.
Director Statement
I met Paul Ekman 22 years ago. At the time I was living in the San Francisco Bay Area, working on my directorial debut and writing feature stories for El Mundo newspapers in Spain, my birth country. I still remember the day I met Paul for the first time in his home in the Berkeley Hills. I was there to write about his new book, Telling Lies, and at the time, he was consulting with Pixar Studios. Our first connection was fruitful. The piece I wrote made an impact. As a career documentary filmmaker, I believe in the power of communicating human emotion through film. As I was completing my latest feature, The Island in Me, I thought again of Paul and wondered if a film had yet been made about his life and accomplishments. After finding his contact info, I was thrilled to hear from his daughter Eve: “Paul would like to see you in person.” The pandemic was ongoing, but I traveled from LA to San Francisco to see him in person. From a safe distance, I asked him “If I’m going to pitch a film to the expert on facial expressions of emotions, shall I take off my mask?” He agreed. I explained my motivations. With a mischievous smile he gave his response: “I am game.” My intention is to create a moving documentary of this American pioneer, who not only changed our understanding of emotions through the human face but whose scientific discoveries permeate modern life.
ABOUT FILMMAKER(S)
Gemma Cubero del Barrio
Gemma Cubero del Barrio, a Spanish-American award winning and Emmys® Silver Circle inductee, is a documentary director, producer, and writer. For the last 25 years she has gained a breadth of experience producing non-fiction documentary films and original programming. In 2006, she founded Talcual Films (which means, “as it is” in Spanish). and has made films in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. Her directing credits include: Ella Es El Matador (She Is The Matador), Ottomaticake, Our Atoll Speaks, and The Island In Me. Her films have been supported by institutions such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, Latino Public Broadcasting, Point of View (P.O.V.), Pacific Islanders in Communications, Women Make Movies, Kickstarter, The San Francisco Foundation, Tribeca Film Institute, the United Nations Global Environment Fund and The Redford Center. Her films have screened and received awards at international and national film festivals. Her film The Island in Me, screened in three cities with sold out venues at DocEdge in New Zealand, won the Special Jury Prize in Tahiti at the 2022 Festival International du Film Documentaire Océanien (FIFO) in Tahiti, has been broadcasted on French Television, and screened in German as part of the 2025 World Day of Prayer International Program. In the U.S., the film premiered at the 41st Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, at Cinequest Film Festival, and at the 2023 Green Film Festival of San Francisco. Gemma’s film and TV career started when iconic Mexican-American Lourdes Portillo. For more information visit gemmacuberofilms.com or talcualfilms.com.
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Women Make Movies (WMM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit media arts organization registered with the New York Charities Bureau of New York State and accepts charitable donations on behalf of this project. Your donation will be spent by the filmmaker(s) toward the production and completion of this media project. No services or goods are provided by Women Make Movies, the filmmaker(s) or anyone else associated with this project in exchange for your charitable donation.
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