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This Beggar’s Description

Wednesday, March 15 – 7:30pm
Canada 2005. Director: Pierre
Tétrault.

This Beggar's Description

The life of devoted father and celebrated poet Philip
Tétrault has been one of love, art and madness. Also
known as “Harry Two Hats”, Tétrault has schizophrenia,
and has endured long spells living on the streets of Montreal, as well
as time locked up in jails and psychiatric wards. But he has also developed
deep family bonds and friendships that have helped him come through
periods of incredible darkness, and have inspired his extraordinary
poetry.

At the heart of This Beggar’s Description
— a film made by Philip’s brother Pierre — is this poetry,
offering extraordinary insights into street life in Montreal, the beauty
of nature, and what Tétrault calls “the gymnastics of my
mind.” Set alongside the songs of Tétrault’s old friend
and great supporter Leonard Cohen, the poetry and stories of PhilipTétrault
provide a powerful and moving portrait of the far-reaching effects of
schizophrenia, and one in which we are reminded that rather than continuing
to isolate those individuals with schizophrenia, it is a far richer
experience to make a place for them. Colour, DigiBeta. 60 mins.

Frames of Mind is a monthly film event utilizing film
and video to promote professional and community education on issues
pertaining to mental health and illness.

Post-screening
discussion with Pierre
Tétrault, filmmaker, playwright,
actor and stage director, who makes his filmmaking debut with This Beggar’s
Description, which premiered at the 2005 Montreal World Film Festival.

Moderated by Dr. Harry
Karlinsky, Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional
Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the
the Canadian Mental
Health Association, Vancouver/Burnaby Branch and The National Film Board
of Canada.
The media sponsor of Frames of Mind is The
Ubyssey.

For more information on the film, see the March + April
Pacific Cinémathèque Program Guide, or visit www.cinematheque.bc.ca/mar_apr_06/frames_of_mind.html