From Oscar-winning dramas to a superb Montreal-documentary, the Douglas Hospital’s choice of movies has the same theme – mental health. During the month of June, the Douglas will present its Frames of Mind movie series, showcasing five films that focus specifically on mental illness. These evenings will be hosted by an expert in the field who will discuss the movie and the highlighted disorder. The community is invited to come watch the movies and participate in the discussion. Entrance is free.

"These evenings are a light-hearted way to address serious health issues," says Douglas Hospital’s Director General, Jacques Hendlisz. "Mental illness is becoming an increasingly important health issue, one that needs more awareness. The selected movies do a good job of profiling these disorders and provide a great platform for discussion. Frames of Mind promises to be both informative and interesting."

Note: The films will be shown in their original language with French or English subtitles. Discussions will be bilingual.

Wednesday, June 1, 2005: Rain Man, with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman
Experts in autism
Ridha Joober MD, PhD, researcher, Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Leslie Klein, PhD, psychologist at the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, Douglas Hospital
Description
After an autistic savant inherits three million dollars from his deceased father, his younger brother -in an attempt to trick him out of the money- learns some valuable lessons of life.

Wednesday, June 8, 2005: Analyze This, with Billy Crystal, Robert DeNiro
Expert in anxiety disorders and social phobias
Camillo Zacchia, PhD, psychology professional chief, Douglas Hospital.
Description
When a prominent leader of the New-York Mafia suddenly starts having panic attacks, he enlists the help of a New York psychiatrist for a fast cure. The two men suddenly find themselves struggling to understand each other’s professional and private lives as they battle the FBI and the impending threat of a Mafia takeover.

Thursday, June 16, 2005: Pollock, with Ed Harris
Experts in alcoholism
Thomas G. Brown, PhD, researcher, Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Expert in affective disorders
Mimi Israël, MD, chief psychiatrist, Douglas Hospital
Description
At the end of the 1940's, abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) is featured in Life magazine. Flashback to 1941, he's living with his brother in a tiny apartment in New York City, drinking too much, and exhibiting an occasional painting in group-shows. That's when he meets artist Lee Krasner, who puts her career on hold to be his companion, lover, champion, wife, and, in essence, caretaker. To get him away from booze, insecurity, and the stress of city life, they move to the Hamptons where nature and sobriety help Pollock achieve a breakthrough in style.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005: Unbreakable Minds (documentary)
Expert in schizophrenia
Ashok Malla, MD, director, Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses (PEPP-Montréal), Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Special Guests
Abbey Jack Neidik and Irene Lilienheim Angelico – producers
Description
For people in the grip of mental illness, every day is a battle against unknowable demons. Every scrap of pleasure and contentment must be fought for tooth and nail. How does it feel to live this way? And what is it like to watch someone you love go through such suffering? Unbreakable Minds is an intimate and moving portrait of three men from suburban Chicago who are struggling to cope with severe mental disorders.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005: Ma vie en cinémascope, with Pascale Bussières
Expert in bipolar disorders
Hani Iskandar, MD, clinical chief, psychiatric intensive care unit, Douglas Hospital.
Description
Born in Quebec, Alys Robi, starts singing at the age of five and rises through the ranks to become an international pop star. Just a she achieves celebrity status, she has to put a stop to her career. Victim of a manic-depressive psychosis (bipolar disorder), she will be hospitalized and she undergoes a lobotomy in the 1950’s.
 

Information

Florence Meney
Media Relation
Communications and public affairs
Phone: 514-761-6131, ext. 2769
Cell.: 514-835-3236
florence_dot_meney_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca