2016 Sarasota Film Festival | 10 film entries address mental illness
"The Brainwashing Of My Dad" (USA/89 min.): Filmmaker Jen Senko ("The Vanishing City") found the subject of her latest documentary close to home: her father, Frank, and how decades of conservative talk radio and cable news took a toll on him. Tracking links between media and government, Senko comes to a shocking conclusion: Frank had been "brainwashed" by a barrage of Right-wing talking points. Narrated by Matthew Modine, combining a sense of history with in-depth interviews, this thought-provoking chronicle examines fact-denial and what it means for America. Show times: 7:15 p.m. April 8 and 3:45 p.m. April 9.
"In Pursuit of Silence" (USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, China, Taiwan, India, Belgium / 81min.): Beginning with an ode to John Cage's seminal
silent composition, 4'33", the sights and sounds of this film directed by Patrick Shen delicately interweave with silence to create a contemplative and cinematic experience that works its way through frantic minds and into the quiet spaces of hearts. As much a work of devotion as it is a documentary, Show times: 2:15 p.m. April 8 and 5:15 p.m. April 10.
"Disorder" (France, Belgium/101min.): A veteran of the war in Afghanistan who is suffering from PTSD, takes a job with a few of his friends from the war, working security at a sprawling mansion. When the owner of the house goes on a business trip and leaves his wife Jessie and son to be taken care of by Vincent, the trouble begins. Vincent must battle his attraction to Jessie and the demons of his past in order to protect them from danger. The film was nominated for the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes. Show times: 8:30 p.m. April 2 and 9:15 p.m. April 9.
"Mad" (United Kingdom/83min.): When Mel suffers a nervous breakdown, her daughters Connie and Casey couldn't care less. Convinced she is only seeking attention they leave her in the care of the hospital's psych ward. Years of repressed emotions and resentment come to light as this dysfunctional family learns to cope with Mel's new situation. The road to recovery is strenuous but, when given the chance, heals those who didn't even know they were suffering. Weaving together comedy and drama, MAD and its director Robert Putka take a lighthearted approach to family crisis, showing that sometimes all you can do is laugh. Show times: 7 p.m. April 8 and 12:45 p.m. April 10.
"SPLiT" (USA/127min.): Inanna, a young actress working as a stripper, becomes obsessed with a mask maker. In order to win his love she enters a mythic journey in the theater, one that blurs her performance, her dreams and her real life, resulting in a provocative and powerful confrontation that frees her. SPLiT is a powerful meditation on the traumas women face, and the struggle to overcome them. Show times: 6:30 p.m., April 7 and 11 a.m, April 10.
"Crossing Bhutan" (USA, Bhutan / 60min.): Bhutan is a country like no other, its uniqueness stems from thefocus placed on the so called "Gross National Happiness", used as a measure of the country's progress. The GNH creates a sense of community and well-being that is otherwise ignored in the modern world. Additionally, severe restrictions on tourism help to emphasize a peaceful and communal state of society, nearly untouched by modernization. In this film directed by Ben Henretig, four athletes, with unprecedented access, embark on a 500-mile expedition by foot and bike across Bhutan, that is to be completed in 42 days. Narrated by Imogen Heap "Crossing Bhutan" is a transformative experience that brings the trekkers together to experience the serene beauty that will open their hearts and create a rare, humble, human connection between themselves and nature. Show times: 1:30 p.m. April 5 and 4:15 p.m. April 6.
"Touched With Fire" (USA/106 min.): What is the difference between loving madly and loving, madly? When two poets (Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby) meet in a treatment facility, they struggle to align the rhythms of their new found love, emotions, and creative pursuits. The highs and lows of their love story set against the diagnosis of bipolar disorder creates tension between their families who endeavour to help their adult children navigate a life that is both difficult and extraordinary. Show times: 4 p.m. April 5.
"Borderline" (USA / 88min.): Regina is living with Borderline Personality Disorder. The first time she tried to kill herself, she was 5 years old. Now she is 45 and hell-bent on trying to live - most of the time. She reacts on impulse, attacks, distracts, meditates, offers social commentary, trips over herself, laughs, judges, burns bridges, makes social gaffes, apologizes, loses her cool, philosophizes and remains dogged in her search for recovery. First time director Rebbie Ratner's documentary is a raw, vulnerable and honest portrayal of what it's like living with BPD. Show times: 1 p.m. April 9 and 1:15 p.m. April 10.
"Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru" (USA/115 min.): In 2015, Award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger gained unprecedented access to Tony Robbins' once-a-year mega seminar, "Date with Destiny," attended by 2,500 people from 71 countries. The film highlights the deeply emotional, life-changing transformations of five participants in real time. Show times: 6:45 p.m. April 3, 8:15 p.m. April 5.
"Off The Rails" (USA/88 min.): The remarkable true story of Darius McCollum, a man with Asperger's syndrome, whose overwhelming love of transit has landed him in jail 32 times for impersonating New York City bus drivers and subway conductors and driving their routes. Darius commandeered hundreds of trains and buses, staying en route and on schedule, without ever getting paid. Although he has never damaged any property or hurt anyone in his decades of service, he has spent 23 years in a maximum security prison. Adam Irving directed and co-produced the film. Show times: 11 a.m. April 9 and 9:30 p.m. April 10.
-- Herald staff report
This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 5:43 PM with the headline "2016 Sarasota Film Festival | 10 film entries address mental illness ."