LIDF

Anti-Stigma

Anti-stigma the documentary is an insight into the artistic interpretations and perspectives of six individuals who have been diagnosed with a severe disorder of mental health. They are in order of appearance: Peter Wright, Pablo Grier, Susan Scott, Paul Howroyd, Micheal Njoroge, and Allan Burgoyne. Elizabeth Notice narrates between the six short films.

This documentary was conceived and produced at a weekly video group, run by Bodhi Landman based at the Clarendon day centre in Haringey north London. It was facilitated by Ivan Riches a community film-maker. All participants took part in the scripting, filming and editing of their own piece of work.

The aim was to give an outlet of expression to people often regarded as the ‘subject’ of so called ‘informed’, ‘intellectual’ discussion about mental health, but whose opinions are often overlooked; the diagnosed.

‘Anti stigma provides a unique and alternative viewpoint on a subject that transcends all presumed social division globally. The subject of mental ill health is interpreted generally by those who assume ‘sanity’ of themselves often in a destructive labelling manner, i.e. with associations of fear, shame, and failure, to name but a few. This serves only to generate harmful myths and to isolate people, often at times of extreme vulnerability, compounding any distress already being experienced.

We hope this film contributes to dispelling the associated stigma. We intend that it gives insight and enlightenment which can facilitate discussion on mental health. We hope it is particularly useful to those in a similar position to ourselves, as well as to our relatives and those directly associated in dealing with us in some way.
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Martin the Ghost

Aslak Danbolt | Norway | 25 mins

Martin Hasle is multihandicapped after a car accident nine years ago. He has severe brain damage and can no longer move or speak, but he communicates through a computer which he can manipulate with his left thumb. He lives in a nursing home and is wholly dependent on help 24 hours a day. But, most of his time is spent alone and in silence - waiting. His friends no longer come to visit. Only his parents and the social worker, Bente, come and spend time with him. Painful visits for the parents, perfunctory for Bente. But, Martin still plays a role, a ghostly example wheeled out to classrooms of young people who, like him, may risk their lives driving cars late at night after too many beers.
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