A Monthly Mental Health Film Series
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 – 7:30pm
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Trudy Adam
VANCOUVER PREMIERE! – Rory Culkin plays the titular character Gabriel, out on a temporary pass from a mental health facility, in Lou Howe’s directorial debut.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 – 7:30pm
Israel/USA 2013. Dirs: Hilla Medalia, Shosh Shlam
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Susan Baer
This timely documentary follow three teenagers admitted to the Daxing boot camp in Beijing, a rehabilitation centre designed to treat “internet addiction.”
Wednesday, October 15, 2014 – 7:30pm
Canada 2013. Dir: Dennis Allen. 56 min. HDCAM
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Naomi Dove and Dr. Shannon Tania Waters.
In his latest work, shot mostly in Vancouver, Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen confronts the sensitive subject of substance abuse among First Nations people in Canada.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 – 7:30pm
Canada 2013. Dir: John Kastner. 88 min. HDCAM
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Johann Brink
VANCOUVER PREMIERE! The Brockville Mental Health Centre in Ontario is a facility for men and women who commit violent crimes but are determined to be “Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder.” Acclaimed documentary filmmaker John Kastner (Life With Murder) spent 18 months at Brockville filming the day-to-day life of four patients
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 – 7:30pm
USA 2013. Dir: Brian Lindstrom. 90 min. Blu-ray Disc
VANCOUVER PREMIERE! This heartbreaking documentary explores the controversial killing of James Chasse, a man suffering from schizophrenia, by three Portland police in 2006.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – 7:30pm
Germany 2013. Dir: Florian Eichinger. 89 min. Blu-ray Disc
VANCOUVER PREMIERE! The lasting intergenerational effects of domestic violence are frighteningly revealed in Florian Eichinger’s haunting psychological drama.Wednesday, April 16, 2014 – 7:30pm
Sweden/Denmark 2013. Director: Lisa Langseth. 100 min. Digibeta video
Post-screening discussion with Ingrid Söchting & Abi Dahi
Filmmaker Lisa Langseth’s latest is the comedic and moving tale of a depressed mother who “takes a break from herself” in a series of motels.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 – 7:30pm
Canada 2013. Dir: Bruce McDonald. 80 min. DCP
Post-screening discussion with Damon Elgie
The latest from ever-surprising Canadian maverick Bruce McDonald is a gutsy, blackly-comic drama about an emasculated ad-agent who begins acting out.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 – 7:30pm
USA 2013. Director: Delaney Ruston
VANCOUVER PREMIERE! Physician/filmmaker Delany Rushton travels the globe documenting how mental illness is treated in this wake-up-call film. Post-screening discussion with Dr. Shafik Dharamsi.
Having weathered a lengthy episode of depression, Toronto author Ray Robertson was inspired “to write a book that explored two of life’s most central and enduring questions: What makes human beings happy? What makes life worth living?” Why Not? A chance meeting between Robertson and his neighbour, acclaimed documentary maker Alan Zweig, brings each reason to life with poignancy, grace, and compassion.