Out of Mind, Out of Sight (film)

Last updated
Out of Mind, Out of Sight
Written by John Kastner
Directed byJohn Kastner
Music byBruce Fowler
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJohn Kastner
EditorMichael Hannan
Running time56 minutes
Production companyJ.S. Kastner Productions Ltd.
Release
Original network TVOntario
Original releaseMay 7, 2014 (2014-05-07)

Out of Mind, Out of Sight is a 2014 Canadian documentary film by John Kastner at the Brockville Mental Health Centre. The film concentrates on two floors of the Brockville facility devoted to forensic psychiatry.

Contents

Over 18 months, Kastner filmed 46 of the 59 patients on the floors, as well as 75 staff members. [1] The film was shot at the Centre at the same time as Kastner was shooting his 2013 film, NCR: Not Criminally Responsible , exploring the personal impact of the mental disorder defence in Canada. [2] [3] [4]

Out of Mind, Out of Sight was co-produced by J.S. Kastner Prods. and the National Film Board of Canada in association with TVOntario, and had its world broadcast premiere on TVO on May 7, 2014. [5]

Synopsis

The documentary analyzes four residents of the Brockville Mental Health Centre, an institution specializing in forensic psychiatrics associated with patients involved in violent crimes. The two men and two women of the film fight stigma surrounding mental illness to regain control of their lives. Patients attending these institutions often disappear from public eye, and their stories go untold. [6]

Critical reception

The film was named Best Canadian Feature Documentary at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. [7]

Writer Michael Thomas from Digital Journal said "Out of Mind, Out of Sight covers nearly every topic one could think of about mental hospitals — what kind of medication do they have, and how often? Do romantic relationships happen on the premises? How are these people treated? Do they have the potential to become violent? All of these questions are answered" and "Despite the grim subject matter, there is some warmth and humour to be found." [1]

Related Research Articles

The insanity defense, also known as the mental disorder defense, is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case, arguing that the defendant is not responsible for their actions due to a psychiatric disease at the time of the criminal act. This is contrasted with an excuse of provocation, in which the defendant is responsible, but the responsibility is lessened due to a temporary mental state. It is also contrasted with the justification of self defense or with the mitigation of imperfect self-defense. The insanity defense is also contrasted with a finding that a defendant cannot stand trial in a criminal case because a mental disease prevents them from effectively assisting counsel, from a civil finding in trusts and estates where a will is nullified because it was made when a mental disorder prevented a testator from recognizing the natural objects of their bounty, and from involuntary civil commitment to a mental institution, when anyone is found to be gravely disabled or to be a danger to themself or to others.

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The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is a national non-profit organization created by the Canadian government in 2007 in response to a senate committee tasked to study mental health, mental illness, and addiction. The committee appointed Michael J. L. Kirby as the first chairperson. The MHCC was endorsed by all the provinces and territories with exception to Quebec. The Commission is funded by Health Canada and has a ten-year mandate enforced through a sunset clause. On 21 April 2015, Minister of Finance Joe Oliver announced that the 2015 federal budget calls for the renewal of the MHCC for another ten-year mandate starting in 2017-2018.

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References

  1. 1 2 Thomas, Michael (4 May 2014). "Review: 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight' removes the stigma of mental illness". Digital Journal. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  2. Laskaris, Kathryn (2 May 2014). "Hot Docs: John Kastner's Out of Mind, Out of Sight takes $10,000 prize". Toronto Star. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
  3. Jones, Allison (19 April 2013). "Film explores the meaning of 'not criminally responsible'". The Canadian Press . Toronto: Globe and Mail. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  4. Knelman, Martin (16 April 2014). "John Kastner's Out of Mind, Out of Sight at Hot Docs". Toronto Star. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  5. Harvey, Dennis (8 May 2014). "Film Review: 'Out of Mind, Out of Sight'". Variety. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  6. National Film Board of Canada, 2014, https://www.nfb.ca/film/out_of_mind_out_of_sight/
  7. Paula Bernstein, "Hot Docs 2014 Winners Announced: ‘Out of Mind, Out of Sight’ Wins Best Canadian Feature Documentary". IndieWire , May 3, 2014.