Mental Filmness Film Festival 2022
I’ll never forget the very first Mental Filmness Film Festival back in 2019. It’s obvious why this endeavor means so much to me on a lot of levels. As most of you know, I have suffered with various mental health disorders for quite some time. I vividly recall putting out a podcast episode while I was in crisis mode and decided to vent into a microphone about what I was feeling. Of course I worried about it coming off as self-indulgent but several listeners did reach out in support, including the late great film critic Sergio Mims who told me at the time, “don’t give up.”
We should take Sergio’s words to heart when putting together a passion project, the way that founder Sharon Gissy has with Mental Filmness. The first live event took place at Comfort Station here in Chicago in 2019 and I was overjoyed to have been there not only to see the films selected but to play interstitial piano jams whenever there was downtime. Sharon’s enthusiasm and joy was infectious. She really knows how to curate a festival especially when it comes to a “mixtape” of short films both for the 2022 iteration and previous years. If I’m not mistaken the first film that played was called CALL CONNECT which you can now view below via YouTube. I can’t recommend it enough; it’ll also give you an idea of what you can expect from the 2022 Virtual Festival from Mental Filmness which I go into detail about - particularly the shorts blocks that are now available to view, linked below!
That first iteration was pre-pandemic but attracted a lot of attention and subsequent followers. To me, it was an incredible success due to the live Q&A’s with filmmakers as well as the attendees who were clearly moved throughout. Not to mention the films themselves. I have done my absolute best to view many titles for 2022 which kicked off early in October and runs for about a month. I decided I wanted to cover as much as possible to not only support Sharon, but support the very idea behind the festival as well as the many talented creators - who clearly put themselves out there in a way that is consistently inspiring.
Let’s cut to the present because there are a lot of short films you can still view for a couple of weeks thanks to hosting platform Eventive. I must also say that I’m writing this after the latest Mental Filmness live event that took place at The Davis Theater. The crowd seem very engaged and I think a lot of that has to do with Sharon’s dedication to the mission as well as the great films being shown. Seeing AFTER (A LOVE STORY) with lead actress/writer Alyssa Thordarson in attendance was truly a highlight. I’ve been singing the praises of that film since Collin Souter programmed it for his shorts program at the Chicago Critics Film Festival. I’ll have more to say about that one soon enough. For now, I have put together some capsule reviews of many of the short films you can now watch online for free and I encourage you to do so because the majority of them I found to be pretty remarkable especially when you think of the low budget and limited funds these independent filmmakers had to put these all together successfully.
Founder, programmer, an inspiration in so many ways, Sharon Gissy - live at The Davis Theater for Mental Filmness 2022
Mental Filmness 2022 Virtual Festival
There are many titles to choose from along with interviews you can view with the directors/actors/writers. Click on the names. Below are some of my thoughts on several titles I have had the pleasure of seeing. You can view them here
Two friends slowly begin to grow apart in Madison Paige Kennedy’s BORROWED LIGHT
CAPSULE REVIEWS
dir. Kirsty Robinson-Ward - (JUST IN CASE) - UK - 2021 - (my full review) - (fav. of the festival) (Shorts Block #1)
dir. Michelle Melles - (DRUNK ON TOO MUCH LIFE) - USA - 2021 - (my full review) - (2nd favorite)
dir. Dmitry Badera (THE LOCKED DOOR) - Ukraine - 2022 - Another one of my favorites due to how “lived in” and genuine it feels to the experience of feeling trapped despite wanting to break free. This is a carefully constructed and well-observed short story surrounding the complexities of agoraphobia. Akin to KIMI without the techno-thriller element and contains a really strong lead performance. It’s clear that Badera put his heart and soul into this story whether it comes from his own personal life or not; another one of those films that fits right in with the times we’re living in. (Shorts Block #5)
dir. Helen Newman (SOLSTICE) - Australian - 2022 - Engaging and powerful, SOLSTICE is a feature-length documentary; I plan to write more about others for sure but wanted to bring this to your attention promptly. This is a vital examination of community resilience in the face of experiencing loss due to suicide. It’s heavy viewing to say the least, but essential when exploring grief in a way that can often lead to action and prevention. We all struggle differently and this film highlights that as well as how one can turn that struggle into something positive that can potentially make an impact and save future lives. (Feature Film)
dir. Melissa Kong - (DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT) - USA - 2021 - Melissa Kong’s DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT is partially about not being able to confront the fact that sometimes patterns and defenses are actually working against us. These can often lead to a lack of personal growth despite wanting to change and move forward, it’s often an uphill battle. This is also sometimes a very funny look at the struggles of OCD all the while grieving the loss of a parent (something that always speaks to me too). A really thoughtful look at the IOP process and the therapeutic support through that system as well. Certainly, one of my favorite final moments of the festival because we don’t have to see it to know the outcome. (Shorts Block #1)
dir. Matthew M. Ferraro (THE RUNNER) - English - 2021 - Beautifully shot, THE RUNNER is a engrossing true story about a man's quest to heal and manage mental illness, specifically depression and suicide through mood-altering exercise. At one point, our narrator says, “music is a great reason to be alive.” So is watching a film like this and many others throughout the festival. (Shorts Block #5)
dir. Emma Lazenby (A BLACK CLOUD) - UK - 2022 “I felt like my baby didn’t like me.” This is a truly heartbreaking yet honest animated short that focuses on something that doesn’t get talked about as much. Reproductive trauma encompasses many layers of trauma that can be experienced throughout the journey of trying to become a parent. We get to see our future mom go through the journey of grief but find solace in self-care and a compassionate midwife. Knowing she got through it can provide more hope for other mothers with the same concerns. “It does get better; it does take time. Whatever happens to you… matters.” This covers a lot of emotional territory despite being more of an educational piece. The director’s not-for-profit FormMed Films works to create "authentic, factual, beautiful health education films." A BLACK CLOUD is all of that and more. (Shorts Block #2)
dir. Ratana Aiyawongse (RE-LIVE) - Canada - 2022 - Kagan Goh has dealt with Bipolar disorder for many years yet he learned how to channel his energies into activism and advocacy. This documents how he found a way to live with this condition and became a person giving help to other people having the same problem as he was. His mother described him as a “hero” and after watching this, it’s easy to see why. (Shorts Block #5)
dir. Lili Viràg Szuhay-Murciano (MASKING) - Italy - 2022 - A light, experimental 4-minute tutorial on how to make friends during a time when it’s difficult to even see new friends. Kind of a lark but an enjoyable diversion that is guaranteed to make you smile with how playful it ultimately becomes. (Shorts Block #4)
dir. Brit Leibovitz (EQUILIBRIUM) - Israel - 2021 - This one starts out as a bit of a hangout movie with a group of friends during a 27th birthday celebration at an eating disorders rehabilitation house. Something that I didn’t know existed but would be curious to learn more about since I have certainly had my share of experiences with stress-induced binge eating (the less said about a recent experience, the better). The ending to this really got to me but the whole film is another strong entry among several others. (Shorts Block #4)
dir. Paballo Mokwena (EQUILIBRIUM) - South Africa - 2022 - “They say that life is an ongoing battle.” For our young protagonist, it’s clear she’s struggling with her sense of self in a challenging time and place. Retha Regale is a passionate visual fanatic and the camera she uses tends to allow her to switch visual perceptions and personal identity. As someone who loves the art of photography (in the midst of a whole other cultural landscape), I found this to be another engaging work of art - the kind of film we don’t get to see every day. There’s a moment around the 5-minute mark that truly moved me - showcasing the act of creation as catharsis. (Shorts Block #3)
Lead actress Mmabatho Bloem in Paballo Mokwena’s EQUILIBRIUM
dir. Heloise Magny (KEEP PAINTING, MOM) - Canada - 2022 - An animated film about depression and struggling to maintain stability, who somehow manages to make it out of his nightmare by using both his artistic abilities and the support of his mom. This is another that I think will resonate with just about anyone who finds a lot of connection through creative expression and how the process of committing yourself to a project can be healing in of itself. Not to mention there’s an animated cat so that’s a plus! (Shorts Block #4)
dir. Teryn Lawson (10-33) - Canada - 2021 - This is a strong portrayal of PTSD as we watch a paramedic struggle to confront her denial over something traumatic that happened while on the job. We see her disassociate at one point that felt very honest and real. This contains a phenomenal lead performance from Emily Jeffers and packs quite the punch despite the contained running time. I think I’m always drawn to the world of EMTs since I can’t imagine how much they go through on a daily basis. 10-33 brings that all to light and in such a compelling way. (Shorts Block #4)
dir. Hayley Anne Nash (MAKE UP YOUR MIND) - USA - 2022 - A light but powerful mix of Philip K. Dick & Charlie Kaufman in which a young woman struggling with her mental health must decide whether or not to buy a new brain. I also couldn’t help but think of the inventiveness behind that darkly comedic show THE GOOD PLACE - especially when we are first privy to the salesperson in charge of getting our lead character to realize what’s taking place so she can finally move forward. Another that snuck up on me with an inventive premise that is never gimmicky - but achingly human. (Shorts Block #4)
dir. Madison Paige Kennedy (BORROWED LIGHT) - USA - 2021 (interview with writer/actress Jenapher Zheng) - A really strong coming-of-age story about going down separate paths in which we witness two best friends who share a love for music grow apart when one of them moves away for college and suffers a mental breakdown. Heartbreaking, but honest and true to life especially when we realize that the people we love can often deplete our energy. (Shorts Block #3)
dir. Beth Ashby (WHERE MONSTERS LURK) - USA - 2022 - The closest to a horror film I’ve seen in the entire festival. After weeks of withdrawing from the outside world, Kelly is now isolated, depressed, and self-medicating. She slowly begins to lose touch with reality and experiences feelings of disillusionment with everything surrounding her. This to me almost brought to mind Chantal Akerman’s portrayal of breaking down while alone, often experiencing symptoms of psychosis mixed with something like Kurosawa’s PULSE at times. It’s hard to not be on edge (while also laughing) at a song that plays on the radio at one point. Unless Kelly turns this downward spiral around, it may not end well and the only way to find out is by seeing how this very strong film plays out. (Shorts Block #5)
dir. Carlos Moreno Jr (NUMB) - USA - 2022 - It’s rare we get to see a movie like this that expands upon how successful doctors struggle with the pressures of their job not to mention tremendous loss that is clearly taking its toll on Lola in this. Yes I know there are medical shows out there but few are as empathic and heartbreaking like NUMB. We all know what it’s like to want to bury the pain deep down inside and certainly that is compassionately looked at here right from the start. Inevitable, there’s a powerful breakdown scene that is not overplayed. This was one of those films that I thought a lot about once it ended simply because I related to what Lola feels having lost my dad at a young age. I’ll always be on board for stories about grief and this is a good example of how to do it confidently and with heart. (Shorts Block #5)
dir. Naved Ahmed (THE CONFIDANT) - India - 2021 - This is a short but compelling 4-minute look at a housewife who is constantly on her phone, chatting, comforting and sharing a laugh with someone. It is by revealing the recipient of all of these calls that the film shares an important message about mental health, isolation and what it means to truly connect, even from a distance. A real stunner of an ending and we learn a lot about how those living in India struggle just as much as anywhere else. (Shorts Block #3)
dir. Carley Kormanis (THE COLORFUL MIND OF JAYCE DEAN PARKER) - USA - 2022 - A film about a talented twentysomething who has a “special friend” that comes around almost serving as his conscience to lend him support while attending art school. As programmer Sharon stated well, this feels like it could’ve been made in the 90s - can’t help but think of this as a sincere, dramatic take on something like WEIRD SCIENCE or even DROP DEAD FRED. Much like several of these films, what really stands out is the sincere sweetness behind every choice made here. It all leads to a satisfying and quite lovely conclusion. (Shorts Block #3)
dir. Daniel Asadi Faezi (THE MIND’S IMAGE) - Germany - 2022 - A straightforward fly-on-the wall documentary about a very important subject - the healing power of creation among the elderly (think YOUNG@HEART only with art). A research group on the subject of art therapy in old age is shown dealing with the impact that this has on individuals whose minds struggle to maintain consistency. The film provides keen insight into the process behind art therapy as we learn about the joys it brings to residents of a nursing home. It was wonderful to see how even the aged can still have transcendent experiences by channeling their inner thoughts onto a canvas. (Shorts Block #3)
dir. Rob Riutta (TOUGH GUYS FORGET) - USA - 2021 - Eventually there had to be something that really focuses on and highlights the aftereffects of toxic masculinity and abuse, but this one comes with a bit of an empathic kick by the end. It is the story of a young man, depressed and lost, who has to tend to his ailing father, an abusive man who has escalating symptoms of dementia and post traumatic stress disorder. There's a true sense of tension and conflict and it showcases how we have to move on from the past in order to maintain stability in the present. Really punched me in the gut at times in ways that did create a lot of questions about what it means to be a caretaker especially for someone who didn’t necessarily take good care of you when you needed them most. (Shorts Block #2)
dir. Ahmet Serdar Karaca - (HAPPY ANYWAY) - Turkey - 2022 - This might be a strange comparison to make since this is anything but a horror film but I thought of the intense state of grief that Rebecca Hall experiences in THE NIGHT HOUSE while watching this one. We follow an illustrator who just lost her boyfriend who tries her best to escape her depression by drawing their shared experiences together. It’s about turning something dark and negative into something positive and full of light. Another great central performance from Zeynep Karaca who is asked to carry this entire film on her own. Another that snuck up on me and deeply moved me by the end. (Shorts Block #1)
dir. Alberto Dalla - (THE WEIGHT OF THE INEVITABLE) - UK - 2022 - What is thanatophobia? I certainly didn’t know the term until sitting down to watch this documentary that explores this very subject. It’s mainly about the fear of no longer existing; a mental health issue that heavily affects thousands of people's lives. At first I put this idea into a box, “oh it’s just about a fear of death or dying,” but it goes beyond that simplistic read. It’s more about what it means to no longer be present in the real world. Certainly non-existent in the most literal of terms. Yet its lack of general awareness and specialized medical support forces thanatophobics to create their own support groups in order to find help and this confronts the issue head-on through very revealing conversations with those who struggle with this and are just looking for ways to cope with this particular fear. It’s a bit loose and shabby at times and maybe needed less of a “talking heads' ' approach that we come to expect, but the impact it makes based on the subject matter alone is palpable. (Shorts Block #1)
dir. Melanie Ekholdt - (A DOLLHOUSE 2020: DANCE OF SINS) - Norway - 2021 - This feels organic, spontaneous and almost stream-of-consciousness, inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s play "A Doll’s House." In this short fiction film, we meet Nora in 2020 who celebrates her birthday the year after her separation. Five other women have been invited to her birthday party in her apartment on the west side of Oslo, Norway. At times I couldn’t help but think of INLAND EMPIRE by David Lynch with its feeling of primal feminine energy told only through stunning visual language. It feels driven by a sense of rebirth through physical expression and dance and you can’t help but be transfixed the entire time by its lack of conventional narrative. There’s a conflicted dichotomy taking place between the internal and external thought process within Nora here that really holds your attention. Certainly an experimental art film yet a resoundingly powerful statement about the fragility of identity from an artist whose work deserves to be embraced by the more adventurous film-goer. (Shorts Block #2)
dir. Shara Ashley Zeiger - (I MUSTACHE YOU) - USA - 2021 - Finally let’s end on something light and joyful that I couldn’t help but be charmed by right from the start. There isn’t too much in terms of plot but the synopsis is described aptly: a whimsical magical realistic comedy, inspired by Buster Keaton, Looney Tunes, and NYC, about Abby: a woman with social anxiety, OCD, and agoraphobic tendencies who receives an invitation to love, self acceptance, and the outside world. I almost thought of this as the romantic comedy flipside of THE LOCKED DOOR since it does cover similar themes only done with an entirely different stylistic flourish. As delightful as Shara is throughout and must be given massive acclaim for having done most of the heavy lifting, the musical score for this is wall-to-wall and fits perfectly in the silent film realm with a modern spin. It felt like watching a live-action cartoon written by Nora Ephron and that is a very high compliment indeed. If at times you feel a bit overwhelmed by some of the darker short film selections, be sure to make time for this to lighten spirits and bring a constant smile to your face. (Shorts Block #2)
May not have covered all titles but these are the ones that I felt compelled to share my thoughts on for now. There’s still more to come including some capsule reviews of the feature films that will likely be their own separate reviews and/or linked over on Letterboxd. I plan to write more about my 2nd favorite short film of the festival, AFTER (A LOVE STORY) as well as interview a talented, insightful video essayist and filmmaker by the name of Philip Józef Brubaker who made the very insightful and entertaining HOW TO EXPLAIN YOUR MENTAL ILLNESS TO STANLEY KUBRICK. In other words stay tuned for more love and acclaim of all things Mental Filmness in the weeks to come!
Alyssa Thordarson winning the Hometown Hero Award for AFTER (A LOVE STORY) -
live at the Mental Filmness Film Festival at The Davis Theater in Chicago (10/15/2022)
