Als de nacht maar niet valt - If Only Night Wouldn't Fall

A perspective on three Western countries’ attempts to grapple with anxiety, depression and psychosis.

"What links Norwegian primary school children, a meditation facilitator in a Florida town and a Dutch man struggling to avoid relapse into psychosis? Marc Schmidt’s film follows case studies across three countries in order to explore the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The key lies in prevention rather than cure, with practitioners seeking workable solutions to anxiety, depression and psychosis. Through a combination of interviews and the detailing of a variety of experiments, accompanied by a rich and immersive sound design, Schmidt’s cleverly constructed film presents an empathetic portrait of a universal problem, allowing us to reflect on how much we understand what goes on in our minds, and to witness the development of technology and practices aimed at helping us."
(Sheffield DocFest)