Of Two Minds – One Powerful Documentary @ CIFF

Of Two Minds
One Powerful Documentary @ CIFF

Of Two Minds made its world debut this past weekend at the 36th Cleveland International Film Festival. The 96-minute feature documentary weaves the distinct stories of a selected number of people, men and women, struggling with bipolar disorder. The storyline follows these individuals, true characters in their own right, over the course of four years and reveals to us their pains, pleasures and relationships.

According to the film, “over five million Americans have bipolar disorder.” In this movie, we meet half a dozen of them, who reveal to us how they first discovered that something was off, how they related the information to their loved ones, what they do for a living and, mostly, how they get through their days. While each story is its own unique tapestry, commonalities arise, including substance use (and misuse), sexual exploration and suicidal tendencies. Additionally, the individuals all have a sense of humor, which rises effortlessly in each face we see, while smiling, laughing, crying or anything in between. Another common thread is creativity through multiple mediums, whether drawing, composing, writing or any other combination of original expression. The energy is there, manifesting itself for the connection with and entertainment of others.

“Bipolar disorder effects everything,” shares musician, actor and performer Jennifer Lewis (Think Like A Man). She continues, “There’s no ‘Aw, I’m going to calm down.’ You can’t. It’s your brain.”

One of the most powerful impacts of watching this film is the focus of discovery on people who very much resemble our own friends, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, family members and loved ones. What may surprise viewers is that for people who have such a serious and life-altering mental illness, most are educated and employed. They look just like you and me. Because they are among us. They are us. While self-diagnosis is a dangerous thing, after watching this movie, suddenly, the erratic behavior that once seemed unexplainable is suddenly explained. We are left informed, educated and hopeful. We want to know more. And we did.

Sunday’s audience of the sold-out screening also enjoyed a panel afterwards, which included Doug Blush, and Lisa Klein, the two directors of Of Two Minds, as well as Dr. Luis F. Ramirez, MD, a psychiatrist practicing in Beachwood, Donna Marie Randolph from the Magnolia Clubhouse and Ed Boyte from the National Alliance of Mental Illness, whose brother is bipolar. Additionally, the stars of the film sat in the audience, answering questions.

A robust discussion arose on the topic of Western medication (pills, lithium) vs. a more radical and yet untested lifestyle change of strict diet, Eastern herbs and regimented sleep. Dr. Ramirez reminded everyone in the room that each person’s experience, and therefore most effective treatment, is distinct. And that there’s now studies about the benefits of the regular schedule and diet when it comes to multiple sicknesses as well as questionnaires that can determine if someone is bipolar and then if they are bipolar 1 or bipolar 2. And that the single most important component to the success rate of patients with bipolar is the relationships they have with their loved ones and the support their loved ones can provide. In fact, the doctor even stated that in several treatments, the family must come with the patient in order to best assess the situation and, therefore, to treat it.

The human condition is a complicated puzzle. And while we’ve come a long way since the days of locking up the crazy ones and throwing away the key, mental illness is still very much a taboo topic, one that can push entire generations into denial, despair and destruction. Of Two Minds opens the dialog and brings light to the darkness, signaling to those struggling or living with those who do that they are not alone. That we are not alone. We are all in this together, one person and one mind at a time.