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A Brush With Life
by Suzanne Hamel
Filmed over two years, A Brush with Life is the compelling portrait of Diane, a gifted artist struggling to free herself from mental illness through an innovative art therapy program at the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, Montréal’s largest psychiatric hospital.
The program led Diane out of a private hell. In her year spent working with therapeutic art specialist Suzanne Hamel, Diane discovered a way to cope with a multiple personality disorder brought on by a childhood of abuse. Diane’s struggle invites the viewer to question the delicate balance of the human condition. With haunting images and empathy, A Brush with Life chronicles an exceptional individual’s search for well-being.What therapists are saying…
“An extremely moving and powerful film. It has an important message about values at a time when the whole country is debating the costs and direction of health care. It focuses on an area that is always overlooked, the healing power of human relationships.”
— Glenys Vaughan, Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital
— Glenys Vaughan, Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital
“A Brush with Life paints a picture of hope. A harrowing but uplifting odyssey.”
— Bill Brownstein, Montréal Gazette
— Bill Brownstein, Montréal Gazette
“An exceptional film, an exceptional artist, her universe, her images…a world to discover!”
— Francine Grimaldi, Montréal Radio Host
— Francine Grimaldi, Montréal Radio Host
“An evocative and powerful film.”
— Canadian Art Therapy Association
— Canadian Art Therapy Association
“If I create I constantly overcome the difficulties of everyday life. It’s something essential to the being – to be creative.”
— Diane
— Diane
The program led Diane out of a private hell. In her year spent working with therapeutic art specialist Suzanne Hamel, Diane discovered a way to cope with a multiple personality disorder brought on by a childhood of abuse. Diane’s struggle invites the viewer to question the delicate balance of the human condition. With haunting images and empathy, A Brush with Life chronicles an exceptional individual’s search for well-being.
Awards
** Silver Apple Winner, 1997 National Educational Media Network Competition
** Best of the Festival, 1995 Hot Docs (Toronto)
** Special Jury Prize Winner, 1994 Festival du Films sur l’Art (Paris)
** Silver Plaque Winner, 1994 Chicago Film Festival
** Honorable Mention, 1994 Columbus Film Festival
This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc.
Awards
** Silver Apple Winner, 1997 National Educational Media Network Competition
** Best of the Festival, 1995 Hot Docs (Toronto)
** Special Jury Prize Winner, 1994 Festival du Films sur l’Art (Paris)
** Silver Plaque Winner, 1994 Chicago Film Festival
** Honorable Mention, 1994 Columbus Film Festival
This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc.
Length of video: 0:50:00
English subtitles available
Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-701-X
Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-701-8
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