Crazywise

Crazywise is a compelling, thought-provoking documentary released in 2016 that delves into the profound realm of mental health, and frames psychiatric illness from a drastically distinct and less trodden lens. The documentary, directed by Phil Borges and Kevin Tomlinson, explores the conventional wisdom around mental illnesses and presents a riveting understanding of the subject. It showcases the narratives of people who have faced significant psychological crises and seeks to redefine the perception of mental illness as not just an affliction, but potentially a pathway to personal growth, spiritual awakening, and societal contribution.

The film begins by introducing two mental health survivors, Adam and Ekhaya, who are from diverse backgrounds yet share experiences of severe mental health conditions. Angeles Arrien, an anthropologist, and Phil Borges, a humanitarian and storyteller, along with a mental health advocate, Laura Delano, facilitate the narrative journey by sharing innovative insights about mental health from varying cultural and professional perspectives.

Crazywise artfully poses questions revolving around our societal and medical understanding of mental health. It examines whether our prevailing medical model, which treats mental anomalies as mere biochemical imbalances requiring medication, is the only effective approach, or if there are other conceivable alternatives. The film embarks upon this exploration by drawing insights from various indigenous cultures around the world.

The narrative juxtaposes Western medical models with the wisdom of indigenous cultures that perceive such mental health episodes not always as menacing maladies but as an opportunity for spiritual awakening and personal growth. In some of these cultures, a psychic crisis is seen as a 'rite of passage' — a journey that has the potential to act as a catalyst for personal transformation and community strengthening.

Crazywise takes its viewers on a journey around the world through the lens of Phil Borges, a humanitarian who has spent 25 years documenting indigenous and tribal cultures. Borges' in-depth photographic narratives and captivating visual storytelling lend a rich texture to the film, creating an immersive and sensitive exploration of mental wellness.

In addition, the film also introduces Angeles Arrien, an anthropologist, and teacher with a deep understanding of contemporary psychology and shamanistic practices worldwide. Her insights present a profound cross-cultural perspective to the narrative, challenging the standard ideas about counseling and psychotherapy.

Another central contributor to the film's narrative is Laura Delano, a mental health advocate and survivor who has navigated her way through psychiatric diagnoses and medications before choosing a path to self-recovery and healing. Her story, told with raw authenticity, reinforces the film's core message about considering alternative individual paths to mental wellness.

More than just a documentary, Crazywise compels the viewers to re-evaluate our understanding of mental health and the intricate layers of healing and wellness. Taking a bold, alternative perspective, it challenges the dominant narratives of pathological dysfunction, advocating for a more compassionate and holistic understanding of psychological health crises. It poses profound questions about the nature of reality, the self, and the challenging landscapes of trauma, suffering, healing, and transformation.

The handling of this controversial topic could have easily become overwhelming or one-sided. However, Crazywise manages to masterfully balance the perspectives and avoids any ideological dogma. It does not entirely reject the value of clinical psychiatry and psychology. Rather, it questions their monopoly on defining and treating mental health and advocates for a more diverse, inclusive, and holistic discussion that respects the value of the patient's own experience and culture.

Crazywise is not merely a documentary—it is a movement sparking a paradigm shift in the sphere of mental health. Ironic to its title, the film is anything but crazy. It is a wise, heartfelt, and insightful exploration of the complexities of the human mind and spirit, nudging us to rethink our collective approach towards mental illness and wellness. The film is a beacon of light for those entangled in the maze of mental challenges, advocating for empowerment, resilience, and the potential of healing and growth that lies within every individual's psyche.