This resonates:

But rewatching the film as an adult, I was struck by how bright she becomes when given the slightest amount of agency. She is a passionate photographer and her work in the dark room empowers her to “play God” through the images she creates. Yet, she feels worthless 98% of the time: “I’m pathetic… I hate myself,” she says. Not once does a parent or teacher encourage her photographic pursuits, or explain how this could be a viable career path. Even as her parental issues are more or less resolved, it is her boyfriend who pursues his dream of becoming a pilot while her victory is that she is now okay, though she still sometimes “forgets to breath.”