"THE CRAZIES"
(MOVIE TITLE OR MOST OF HOLLYWOOD)
When you decide to fight stigma, you find that the media is your worst enemy. When it comes to mental illness, Hollywood writers fuel fear in the public by relying on sensationalism and discrimination. The latest film to misrepresent mental illness is "The Crazies". Usually, I am surprised by the layers of discrimination within a film but in this case, the title says it all. I want you to watch the following trailer and read the film's description below (the film's website is here). I would love to hear what you think about this issue. In my opinion, it will take years of education at a student level (part of the reason I am working on my documentary). Maybe then will our future Hollywood directors and writers think twice before they stigmatize millions of people dealing with mental illness. We all can hope but we must keep fighting!
"A husband and wife in a small Midwestern town find themselves battling for survival as their friends and family descend into madness in The Crazies...Unable to trust former neighbors and friends, deserted by the authorities and terrified of contracting the illness themselves, they are forced to band together in a nightmarish struggle for survival." –www.thecrazies-movie.com
"About the inhabitants of a small Iowa town suddenly plagued by insanity and then death after a mysterious toxin contaminates their water supply." –IMDB.com
Hi AC,
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't end, does it?
I feel sad. So sad.
An uphill battle.
Chris
Hey Amber,
ReplyDeleteI hate when they make movies like this. That's one of the reason I don't disclose to most people that I have schizophrenia. I just say that I have a mental illness. People just believe what they watch on T.V. or in movies such as this. I wish we lived in a world where I could at least explain what schizophrenia is to people instead of dealing with preconceived ideas! You keep fighting with us, girl! Hopefully, by the time Lucas is a man, will live in a world where he can proudly tell the world of his brave Uncle Josh!
Hugs,
Amanda