Hollywood and The Bigger Picture

[Summer Rose]

My daughter asked me to watch a film with her the other day. It was one of her favourite movies that I had somehow missed called Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was a well scripted, touching, coming of age story that in my opinion dealt sensitively and fairly accurately with mental health and other tricky adolescent issues. My daughter said she loved the film because one of the main characters " is like me".

Like me. The words rolled around in my mind. It occurred to me that there are few film or TV characters that are actually like my beautiful girl, who suffers from anxiety and OCD. It also dawned on me that some of the characters currently on the screen who do have OCD are almost insulting. Take Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, for example. He is a walking, talking billboard for the lighter side of autism and OCD but, in my opinion, his character does nothing to contribute to the community's greater understanding of what these conditions are really like to live with.

I think it's fair to estimate that the global television and movie industry makes billions of dollars annually telling stories about characters with mental health conditions. Oscar winning blockbusters such as, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ordinary People, Silver Linings Playbook and a Beautiful Mind have certainly played a role in raising awareness, but is that enough?

Given that inaccurate film representations of mental illness can profoundly contribute to stigma and the reinforcement of unhelpful stereotypes, does the industry have a community obligation to inform? Or is just entertainment? Or does anything designed to raise awareness do some good? Love to hear what you think.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sez and Pepper

I work part time and unfortunately had to go to work today, so sorry I haven't been around to keep up today (yesterday sure was fun though!). I'm glad you two have been talking and I thank you for bringing it all back on topic for me. Nice to know you've got my back!

Sez: I haven't seen My Left Foot but it sounds like a great film. I actually find watching some of the older films with characters experiencing mental health conditions quite interesting because it gives you an insight into how the topic was handled back in the day.

Ordinary People was made in 1980 and tells the story of an all-American family falling apart after the tragic and unexpected death of one of their sons. Their younger son suffers the loss terribly, ends up in a psych hospital and then in private treatment. I believe the mother's coldness toward her son and lack of any empathy or kindness is in large part driven by stigma, and I wonder how different the character would be if the movie were made today.

Pepper: I think I am just as conflicted as you about the risk of message manipulation with regards to docos. Everything depends on whose message it is and how it's crafted. Yet docos have such power. Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth changed the discussion on climate change forever. It was more successful at influencing public opinion than one million scientific reports could ever hope to be. That is the kind of game changing mental health film I would love to see on the silver screen. Where is Michael Moore when you need him? Ha Ha

[Just Sara]

Hi Summer, Pep's, Paul, Mary, Birdy, Romantic Thi3f and anyone else I've missed; (sorry)

This is such a great thread guys. We've discussed so many issues relating to stigma and the media it's hard to keep up; all relevant in their own right I might add.

Just as a summery; to my understanding from what's written the premise is that responsibility (to educate and inform) lies with the creator, policy makers, educators and to a lesser degree, viewers. (Please correct me if I'm wrong)

I did this as the thread's evolved so quickly, others reading may not have the capacity to get thru the entirety of our posts. So I hope this helps to entice others to join in.

What I'd like to add to the discussion is 'perception' and effective content so focus is kept no matter what part viewers are watching. Using the short film 'Boys Don't Cry' from Tropfest as an example, Summer (waves!) mentioned "...you can see it in our/their eyes" comment from the narrative as being memorable.

My biggest memory was watching the young boy screaming under water. This was so visibly disturbing to me; very descriptive as inner turmoil goes. We want to scream and when we do, it flows out like volcanic lava, but no-one seems to hear. (When lava hits the ocean it creates boiling bubbles)

Movies, doco's and TV series are created with an agenda sure, but it's what hits the viewer that's subjective. Wouldn't this need to be considered when creating something for viewers to 'get' the desired message? I mean, does it matter that Summer and I remembered different parts of 'Boys Don't Cry'?

I've got to head out now and won't be back for a while; things to do people to see. Oh happy day!

I'll have a lot of catching up here I dare say when I return.

Miles of smiles; (miss ya's already)

Sez xo

[PamelaR]

Hello Summer

Thank you for starting this important thread and to everyone else for their contribution. Also, thanks Sez for the summary it made it easier for me to pick up what I've missed out on.

I've seen many of your other posts Summer you are so warm, friendly and caring. It's good to have you here on the forums.

I think you're so right Hollywood does tend to dumb things down so that the bigger picture is missed. Having said that, I know there are those out there who do not want to see or know about the bigger picture. Sometimes I think though that 'some' people are not interested in the big picture and will continue to have their own take on things. In part for me, it's about what they have learnt growing up, who they associate with, what experiences they have.

I actually like the character Sheldon plays in the Big Bang Theory. My take on it is - people with Aspergers is similar to him. All his friends have different mental illness. Yes, it makes me laugh. But for me that's better than wanting to cry in pain for the hurtful things people do.

My thoughts are - it's not intended as educational, it is intended for entertainment. The most you could hope for is to get programs talked about - And it's happening. This is the best part of all. If we didn't see the program, this conversation you started would never be happening. Good on you.

To be honest, I'd be a bit frightened to have Hollywood take on the role of imparting education programs on such important issues as mental health. They are there to make money. It's the movie industry. But it is a good thought and you are absolutely right there are many movies that portray mental health. Though often the stories are a little one sided or the message is convoluted. I like the idea of having it as part of the school curriculum and an essential subject for any aspiring teacher.

One of the main issues with using the media as a medium for promoting educational messages about mental health is - there are two sides to the media. One will argue that everyone is like a sponge and just absorbs what's put in front of them. The others will argue that people aren't just passive recipients of what the media puts out. That people can evaluate what they see and read.

Many of the movies that have been mentioned here such as Beautiful Mind, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Silver Linings I found far too distressing and would rather not see them. However, one I did like was the one about Walter Mitty.

PamelaR

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sez

Thanks so much for drafting the summary. This is the first thread I've written that has captured people's attention and I never dreamed it would grow so much, so I'm grateful for the support of an experienced Community Champion to help draw others in.

I appreciate that the underwater scenes in the Boys Don't Cry short film resonated with you. They were amazing. For me it was the faces of the boys, so vulnerable and young, and this was triggered by the line about "wearing their sadness in their eyes". I started really looking at those boys and thinking about how hard it is pick up the pain of depression in boys and young men.

I think the film maker was brilliant. We were both captivated by different aspects, yet we got the same message. Mental illness hurts and it's hard for others to see it or hear it. I don't think it matters that different parts stood out for us, the film achieved it's goal.

If anyone else out there has time, Google the film by title (Boys Don't Cry) along with Tropfest and it should come up as a clip on YouTube. Let us know what you think.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Pamela

Thank you for your kind words. I'm really glad that you are here with us and making such a meaningful contribution.

I'm glad Sheldon makes you and millions of other people laugh. I really am. I can accept him as a "shadow", a symbol of accepted difference. However, I still believe the show's producers are walking a dangerous tight rope between ridicule and humour that makes me very uncomfortable. And they are also reinforcing a stereotype that is not entirely true. Sheldon has become shorthand for Aspy and I don't believe it's that simple.

I believe you when you say, "there are those out there who do not want to see or know about the bigger picture". From my experience I have learned that there are three types of people: those who get mental health, those who will never get mental health and those who want to get mental health.

The potential effect of the mass media, film and TV in particular, on those who want to see the bigger picture is so profound that I think it's vital that authentic and considered messages are communicated.

When every violent "bad guy" is psychotic or has split personalities or is bipolar, it reinforces the view that people with mental health conditions are to be feared and mistrusted. Every fictional character experiencing a mental illness who never reaches some stage of recovery reinforces the belief that people cannot heal. Every character who encounters the fictional "evil" psychiatrist and is treated in a facility that resembles more of a haunted house than a hospital, helps to delay treatment for someone.

I want better. Not for me or my entertainment, but for the impact on public perception that we need to sway the people "who want to get mental health" to the light. These people are teachers, nurses, GPs, managers, dentists, farmers--anyone--and they are learning about mental health from the films and TV they watch.

Whether we want Hollywood to be the teacher or not, the fact is that this is what's happening. Now it is happening in conjunction with efforts at schools but the power of film cannot be understated. I don't think it's wrong to expect some level of responsibility from the industry.

It's a shame you couldn't watch A Beautiful Mind because I think that film did a good job managing the mental health portrayal and messaging. What about Little Miss Sunshine? That may be a film you could enjoy--it's not too heavy but spot on with messaging.

[blondguy]

Hi Summer Rose

'A Beautiful Mind' is a gift of a movie to people with or without a mental illness

It portrays mental illness (in the film it is dealing with schizophrenia) as a real illness. Its chemically based which makes it a physical illness as well.

Unfortunately the majority of the public find it strange or confronting and put their blinkers on as they cant visualize the brain having a 'physical' chemical irregularity...

I am happy that Beyond Blue exists so we arent 'afraid' of an illness just because we dont understand it

Thanks Summer for your post re 'The Deer Hunter'...Just a clarification which I neglected to mention.....The movie isnt about Vietnam or hunting deer....Its about PTSD...or as Sara's post mentioned C-PTSD . Its runtime is 183 minutes....oh my!

Great thread topic Summer

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Summer (and all),

I know your post was addressed to Pammy but I hope you don’t mind if I chime in...

Um, while I think in an ideal world, sure, it would be fantastic for movie execs, etc to have a social conscience and it isn’t “wrong” so want that.

But, dare I be bold and say that I feel is it maybe a tad idealistic to expect a profit oriented industry to have much of a social conscience? Personally, I agree with Pammy that they are in it for the money when it comes down to it.

As it has been highlighted before, the main ways to get them to be more thoughtful in how they portray films is through legislation and targeting them where it “hurts” (profit). I feel even public criticism isn’t going to do much if they are still reaping a huge profit.

A money oriented movie executive whose production company comes under fire for insensitively portraying mental health isn’t going to change much if

a) what they’re doing is not illegal

and;

b) people are still watching their films and they’re laughing all the way to the bank.

I feel most film execs aren’t in the social justice or charity business, after all. To get them to change and be more responsible, I feel we can only create an environment that forces them to change (i.e. though legislation and choosing not to watch certain content. But as others have mentioned, I also feel there might be a fine line between calling for responsible media practice and artistic freedom, and outright censorship in legislation. I don’t know where the line is personally).

Maybe I’m just cynical or have low expectations of the film industry but I feel most movie execs aren’t really going to voluntarily want to change unless it hurts their self interest in my opinion...

Kind thoughts,

Pepper xo

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi!

I am still here - sorry this thread has become a little overwhelming and I can't quite keep up! So I'll try and post a few replies but apologies if I've missed something that's been covered or ignored one of your questions.

So - with that said,

One of the threads was about determining fact vs fiction with some of the movies and movie reviews. This has definitely been done! Problem is though they are often hidden within the depths of the Internet! Sane (.org.au) did a media report about the stigma associated with dissociative identity disorder in the movie Split, and Dementia Australia did a release (and podcasts) about the release of Still Alice.

The other thing that you asked is about movies with recovery/happy endings/pursuing treatment.

These are the ones I can think of -

- As good as it gets (OCD - easily the best portrayal that I can think of with recovery)

- A beautiful mind (Schizophrenia - given that after treatment he's able to go on to do better things)

- 28 Days (Addiction and the way that the 12 step program help her find her own identity)

- Sybil (Dissociative Identity Disorder, given that the majority of the film she is in therapy)

- Good Will Hunting (PTSD and the progress that he makes with his therapist)

Hope this helps! I will try and check the thread but maybe if you want me to reply tag me 🙂

[Summer Rose]

Hi blondguy

I think you have raised a really interesting point about how A Beautiful Mind picked up on the physical side of schizophrenia. I thought it was an accurate portrayal of the illness and what is it like to live with schizophrenia and that the film undoubtedly had the ability to educate audiences about this disability. I also liked the way the movie showcased the important support role that family and friends can play when someone they love is unwell.

Like you, I'm happy beyond blue exists too. For so many reasons, including being able to interact with you and all the others on this thread.

[Summer Rose]

Oh Pepper, will you ever forgive me? I can't believe the silly things I do sometimes. It's mostly because I'm time poor and rushing through life. Not an excuse, just some context. I am very, very sorry x

I agree with you that I am being totally idealistic. You are spot on when you say it's about money. I think you're taking us down the right path when you speak about creating the right environment to force change. I personally can't see legislation being effective in this space (and the creatives of the world would fiercely fight to protect their freedom) but certainly some guidelines and codes of practice could be helpful. What do you and others think? Is that a step too far?

And I'm not convinced that everybody wants things to change. Some people want to be entertained without the burden of a message. You might be interested to know that I raised the "Sheldon" issue at our dinner table last night. I was out-voted, three to one for my views about the character! Even my daughter, who has OCD, told me that I was missing the point about entertainment. My three dinner companions also ruled out any change to the quintessential murderous "maniac" that appears in almost every horror film! Don't know what to make of that.