Discussing & Connecting

Crazy...or wise? Indigenous cultures address "mental illnesses" quite differently from western societies. Are symptoms a 'calling' to grow or just a 'broken brain'? The documentary CRAZYWISE explores what can be learned from people around the world who have turned their psychological crisis into a positive transformative experience.

During a quarter-century documenting indigenous cultures, human-rights photographer and filmmaker Phil Borges often saw these cultures identify "psychotic" symptoms as an indicator of shamanic potential. He was intrigued by how differently psychosis is defined and treated in the West.

Through interviews with renowned mental health professionals, Phil explores the growing severity of the mental health crisis in America dominated by biomedical psychiatry. He discovers a growing movement of professionals and psychiatric survivors who demand alternative treatments that focus on recovery, nurturing social connections, and finding meaning.

Official Selection at the Seattle International Film Festival. 83 minutes. Released in 2017

We will be meeting at 2pm to discuss the film, which you will need to watch on your own time beforehand. All movies are streaming for FREE on NVDPL’s movie streaming service Kanopy. This service is available to anyone residing in North Vancouver District.  Please note that your access to Kanopy is limited to 4 films per calendar month.  Link to Kanopy information and instructions: https://nvdpl.ca/accessing-kanopy 

NVDPL Kanopy link to the film: https://nvdpl.kanopy.com/video/crazywise

NVDPL DVD link: https://nvdpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/803512032

Registration required. Register online or call 604-987-4471, ext. 8175. Zoom link will be sent to those registered in advance of the meeting date.

This meeting will take place on Zoom. What you’ll need: A computer with microphone (or headphones) and webcam for Zoom; or your smartphone/tablet. We will email you the Zoom link in advance of the event. 

Join us as we watch a short documentary and then connect via Zoom to discuss it! We will be watching documentaries that touch on social, cultural, political, and global issues. Then, we’ll have an open discussion and exchange of ideas over the film’s topic.

Beyond Human Power

Thursday, June 17 | 2:00pm-3:30pm

Canada once jailed indigenous peoples for dancing, but today new generations are finding inner balance through their dance cultures. This local documentary illustrates how indigenous dancers connect with their power through performance. 'When we dance, we are whole,' says Vancouver musician and dancer Edzi'u Loverin.

This meeting will be held on Zoom. You can watch the film with the group at 2:00pm, or watch on your own and join us 5-10 minutes before 3:00pm for a great discussion!

What you’ll need to attend: a computer with microphone (or headphones) and webcam, or your smartphone/tablet.

Registration required. Register online or call 604-987-4471, ext. 8175. Zoom link will be sent to those registered in advance of the meeting date.