The Falcons is an intimate, observational documentary that delves into the world of the Tshakhruk Ethnoband, a remarkable musical ensemble in the Armenian highlands. Comprised of special-needs children that reside at the state orphanage, these young musicians find solace, strength, and self-expression through the transformative power of music.
HAS HEART is an intimate and inspiring documentary capturing the emotional journey of U.S. Navy veteran Michael Hyacinthe and artist Tyler Way, who unite to transform veterans' experiences through the power of art. After serving in conflict zones and experiencing personal loss and trauma, Michael grapples with his own sense of identity and purpose. He finds new meaning by collaborating with Tyler, a talented footwear designer, to create a unique space where veterans can express their untold stories through art and design.
This film tells the story of an adolescent psychotherapy group that met at an outpatient clinic for two hours a week over a period of two years. Art and drama were the major therapeutic tools, along with music, movement, poetry, and filmmaking. The varied expressive modalities are demonstrated in this film, as well as the different roles the therapists played in facilitating the group process. In addition to telling the story of the group, this film also includes detailed case studies of two of the members. It is a rare example of multimodality group therapy unfolding over time.
Writer/director Paul Maunder's second drama after his award-winning Going Up North for a While is a portrait of a woman's mental health crisis. In part one Julie (Denise Maunder) is haunted by her birth mother's breakdown. Her inner monologue narrates events; Julie hopes marriage and a job will "cure" her, and falls pregnant. After a traumatic delivery, she suffers an acute episode and is admitted into care. Part two takes place in a psychiatric hospital where drugs, electroconvulsive therapy and art therapy were standard treatments at the time. Maunder undertook research at Auckland's Kingseat psychiatric hospital.
Lolo, a 23-year-old boy, is devastated when his girlfriend Clara leaves him. Impsed in sadness, he takes refuge in writing, facing his deepest fears and emotions. An unexpected turn in the end will lead us to discover who Lolo really is.
Martijn Van Loo, a dedicated teacher who commutes from Brussels to Mechelen, struggles because of personal and professional pressures. As the challenges of his life mount, he turns to art as a lifeline — a way to cope, connect, and keep going.