Dig Deeper
It has been said that ‘life imitates art’ but does it really? If you ask the thousands of Albertans who suffer from a mental illness, the answer is a resounding “No”. It is no doubt that we have come a long way from our depictions of mental illness in media, but we have a long way to go. All one has to do is search Albertan or Canadian-made documentaries or films to see the ugly truth; we’re scared of the mentally ill and so much so that we still depict them with a cloud of mystery. This is a call to producers, actors, filmmakers, and scriptwriters alike to stand up for the voiceless and make more films that depict the human experience with honesty. Be not afraid of the darkness that surrounds this subject matter and dig until you discover the whole story.
The real question is would this new point of view fit what people are expecting. The answer might just be no. But since when did art ask permission? Paint the spirit of the individual struggling to be seen as normal and you just might turn off more people than if you painted him as a violent misfit. Media has been teaching people that this “us “ and “them” complex is a correct way of thinking. It nurtures the idea that we are allowed to stay at an arm’s length and watch “them” like we’re at a zoo. ‘Look but don’t touch, they’re different and some are dangerous.’ How far from the truth this really is. We are perpetuating the stigma that makes these illnesses so much more difficult to deal with.
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On my quest to find documentaries and films that depict the true nature of mental illness, I found myself south of the border. Here I found filmmakers, who took the leap to get closer to those living with mental illness. My favorite is the documentary called “Of Two Minds”, directed by Doug Blush. It really gets down to the gritty underbelly of depression and suicide and the almost magical highs of mania while weaving together the stories of the people who live with bi-polar. And that is what is missing from a lot of Canadian films, the element that reminds us that these are still people not just scary subject matter.
Alberta is a growing hub for the arts and we have the resources to dig deeper into the lives of those we have done such a disservice to thus far. It is time we change directions and be the heart of change. Let’s help make Alberta the most mentally inclusive province in Canada one film project at a time.
Amandella is local writer, artist, dog-lover and natural hair enthusiast; she is also a Mount Royal graduate from the Social Work program and volunteers for AMAAS.
