The twenty-fourth Leeds International Film Festival (4-21 November, 2010) started with The King's Speech, and ends with The Folk Singer and Serious Sam Barrett Live. On November 16th, there was a three hour event titled Film to Change that featured ten short films with a mental health theme. It was the end of a six month journey for filmmakers who had little or no experience at the start of the project, which was a partnership between Arts and Minds, Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds International Film Festival.
The films were followed by a debate led by a panel including Larra Anderson (Northern Film School, cinematographer and filmmaker), Dr. Rufus May (clinical psychologist and star of The Doctor who Hears Voices), Harold Offeh (performance and video artist), Ben Anthony (Director of Sectioned). The night was presented and coordinated by Tom Bailey, an Arts and Minds development worker.
Understanding Films with a Mental Health Theme
The films shown were Paradise Lost, In The Dark, Sectioned, Knowing You Matter, Tough, Blood and Wine, White, The Silent Scream, Leeds Met Showreel and Miss Understood.The films were about a number of different mental health issues, such as psychosis, bipolarity, dementia, self harm, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcoholism and loneliness.
All the films united in calling for better understanding of people exhibiting symptoms of mental health issues.
Most people with such problems are either born with them, experience extreme personal distress, or suffer them in old age as the mind declines.
A variety of production styles were used to create the films, including drama, documentary, montage and animation.
The Panel Debate
After a short break following the last film, the room filled up again for the hour long panel debate.
There was a lively debate from the start, with a steady stream of questions and views being provided by the audience. This lasted right up to the end, with the last few questions fitted in after the hour. Much of the debate supported the films, and their attempt to provide a voice for those suffering mental health issues.
Conclusion
The films and debate showed that mental health issues are as complex and diverse as the media that report and dramatise them for public consumption.
The way the media frame mental health issues can therefore be chosen from a wide spectrum, and a thematic approach promoting deeper understanding will hopefully become the norm.
The Arts and Minds Leeds network promote the arts for all people, and have classes and events in a wide range of activities.
Their objective to promote better understanding through the arts is similar to the Chipmunka publishing company.
Marc Latham - Doctor of Philosophy and experienced freelance writer searching for truth and meaning, and reporting it in clear and concise copy.
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