Seems now, Reel Madness, like Movie Monday has become an institution – within The Institution.
We scheduled this year’s festival a little later than usual because of our First Nations Film Festival last November and we needed a little time to recycle our energy to launch another. People have been asking for the Reel Madness Festival, asking “Did we miss it? Can we still volunteer?” The sponsors are there to support it again and filmmakers are wanting to get their films included. It’s a good feeling. It feels like we are no longer pushing it uphill but riding the momentum already created.
Another cool development is Vancouver’s Dr. Harry Karlinsky’s interest in our little show on the Island. He’s modelled a monthly series after Reel Madness and is, through UBC’s Department of Psychiatry giving accreditation points to professionals and interns to participate. It’s also great that he is giving our initiative credit. There has always seemed to be a firewall separating my initiative from most of the professional (formal) psychiatric system, and this feels like a considerable breakthrough.
This year we have a really strong line-up of films (again). Addiction and its connection to mental illness is a very strong theme through most of the offerings and one that appears to be very timely in our city. As a gardener working at a couple of the downtown church gardens, I see first-hand the evidence of growing drug use. I’m thrilled to be able to work with Nettie Wild to launch her film FIX in Victoria. It’s great to find myself working in partnership with some very important films and filmmakers and to present them in this special venue. We do it in our own unique way, with lots of opportunity for the audience to explore the topic directly with the people who are intimately involved in the stories. I find nothing more exciting!
From Grief To Action will be so powerful as it connects so solidly with “regular families’. It’s so easy for most to think that the people who are “confirmed addicts” in areas like Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are bad people from bad homes – “not our children”. This film brings it right home, the fact that any and all of us are vulnerable. So, it is our problem and maybe we can share some responsibility in the solutions.
Stand-up Samurais will be a great, fun evening with a couple of the comedians on hand as well as the filmmaker. I’ve long been fascinated by the connection between comedy and mental illness. Such comedians as Robin Williams and Jim Carry seem to ride a fine line between brilliance and craziness and we love what they give us. It will be fun to explore with the comedians themselves the struggles and the rushes of their chosen field. Addictions are part of this story also, and not just the drunken hecklers.
We featured rollercoaster two years ago and had a memorable phone Q&A with director Scott Smith. Then in October 2000 I presented the film with Scott ‘live’ in Vancouver and I have been wanting to get him here “in the flesh” ever since. It’s such a good film and he speaks so well to it. He is currently in post-production on his next project, a $4million feature film, which seems like a perfect time for him to talk about the ups-and downs of filmmaking. We’ve booked Scott for a daylong workshop for anyone who likes film and filmmaking.
Having Nettie Wild’s film FIX in our festival is a breakthrough. Victoria is currently hitting the wall with growing alarm about the active drug scene. Her film, and guests she’s bringing will add much to the debate and expand our City’s understanding of the issues. The film is also opening at the Odeon on February 28th. Our Mayor and some Councillors are looking to Vancouver’s experience and the more people that see the film, the more informed the debate will be. I believe that film can be the best way to introduce us to other worlds, try on others’ shoes and skins for awhile.
Life’s A Twitch is one of the most provocative new films I’ve seen. Although Tourettes Syndrome is not a mental illness per se, the issues faced by people with any daunting condition are similar and I’ve always found much to be learned from any strong recovery story. The filmmaker has warned me that the discussion after this film could easily fill up an evening. It sparked a great interest in my family about the condition when we previewed it. Within days of receiving my enthusiastic emails about the film, I’d heard from Duncan, the film’s subject, both of the filmmakers, the head of the Tourettes Syndrome of Canada and a local family. I’ve booked several of these folks to join us. That’s the kind of enthusiasm I love!
We’ve stretched the festival over three weeks this year. I hope this makes it more possible for people to attend more events.
Enjoy and participate!
Bruce Saunders
Please Note:
Many events will be video taped. The camera will be on the featured speaker or facilitator - not the audience. Sound only will be collected from audience participation. We're keen to have your input.
The whole purpose is to share ideas and first-hand knowledge and experience. But keep in mind, neither is it meant to be a therapy situation nor is it confidential. Simply, if you don't want something known by the public, this probably isn't a good place to share it. If you do regret something said in a taped discussion, please let us know so the comments can be stricken from the record. The tapes may only be used for reference and with care in educational settings. Contact Bruce Saunders 595-5977 or email.
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