MENTAL is a feature-length documentary that observes the complex world of an outpatient mental health clinic in Japan, interwoven with patients, doctors, staff, volunteers, and home-helpers, in cinema- verite style. The film breaks a major taboo against discussing mental illness prevalent in Japanese society, and captures the candid lives of people coping with suicidal tendencies, poverty, a sense of shame, apprehension, and fear of society.
Japan
Japan
Trigger warning: this review is very personal and contains mentions of suicide and mental illness.
As I was walking out of work yesterday, listening to Ryn Weaver's beautiful 'Reasons Not To Die' as the sun was setting, I had a realisation, one that shocked me. I didn't want to die.
I've had suicidal inclinations since I was young and as I've got older and gained more friends, they've become less intense. But secretly, very deeply down, I've always thought that if, say, I was hit by a car, I wouldn't fight. I'd just let it take me. I'd just say goodbye. I don't know why, depression is hard. And so is having Asperger's sometimes. And being gay. And I'd like…
Mental is an intimate documentary about the state of mental health services in Japan, which gradually accretes to indict a system that struggles to provide a safety net for some of its most vulnerable citizens. It shows the effects of a government intent on reducing benefits for mental health patients that are already heavily stigmatised and living in poverty or worse. But the film is also a quiet celebration of a deeply committed doctor who puts his patients and staff first over the prosperity of his clinic.
Dr Yamamoto believes his patients suffer from being ignored and so he sets out to listen to them, making them feel important and raising their self esteem. He builds his practice as a…
Mental observes the lives of Japan’s mentally ill and their minders at a small mental health clinic, unabashedly confronting the stigma of mental health in such a conservative society. The clinic’s existence is maintained by the benevolent Dr. Yamamoto, who humbly provides his help to those viewed with open shame and confusion. The doctor initially appears uncaring but reveals himself to be a generous albeit stoic figure who quietly thrives on aiding those in need, going so far as reducing his salary below the sum of all his staff and traveling to another town to help a troubled man solely out of good will. Slowly the patients’ plights are coaxed through a series of thoughtful interviews, grim incidents like the…
Soda's films are always a little too long but this is the first that justifies its length and finally becomes something more powerful than his usual observational exercises; ironically the least of the 3 I've seen so far if we're being purists. It's crazy to think that this was only 2008 -- the poor healthcare and stories we're told sound as though they come from decades ago. Definitely moving, powerful. So sad to see how poor mental health has been dealt with in Japan so it's incredibly warming to hear that this was instrumental in inspiring reform and better services and understanding.
At times very hard to watch but also a very profound,essential viewing documentary
One of those rare films where you can just sit there and be, watching with the camera, listening with the director. No, I don't believe in a camera that isn't there, but this film is about as close as you can get to that illusion. Something is definitely being framed, but within the frame is just a person talking, and talking, and talking. A life unfolds and a person is revealed. Soda is often called "observational," but he doesn't observe through restraint, which often ends up being artificial and hollow. He observes through being, simply being. And I hate to make it sound like "omg this doc is so real." That's frankly unattainable. But there is a point where you can come in with biases, intentions, preconceptions, and yet still just be. Soda finds that point. He sits there with his characters in the moment, watching, listening, thinking, so that we think with and through him too.
Argh, why do they make such long documentaries?! Some thought provoking takeaways - especially the part where one of the interviewees mentioned heathy people aren’t perfect (just like how they are perceived as imperfect with mental illness). The part about the woman doing a short day stay was heart wrenching and quite shocking at the same time. The documentary shows the different sides of the mental health clinic - the funny, the good, and the frustrating sides of it. Can’t help but wonder whether the 3 interviewees remembered in the credits scene took their own lives though...
No la pude terminar de ver porque expiró en mubi, si alguien sabe donde la puedo conseguir díganme :c
Director Soda showed us the world mental patients and alerted us to not just their tribulations, but also to the social prejudices that account for their suffering. Shared also are the director's own reflections of a man who was saved by others' kindness, and who is now trying to help others in return. Shot in 2008, and 11 years later it remains relevant.
3.8
Incredibly strong first half. Loses steam after midway. Introduces us to a new person in the last 8 minutes which is a bad decision. (Could be to show the hardworking people helping mentally ill people).
Should’ve focused more on the woman with the long monologue at the start of the film. We did not receive any conclusion to her storyline albeit the documentarian may not of had access to her anymore. Thus said, why have her if you can’t conclude a storyline?
But still a very very fascinating watch.
Wrote my undergrad dissertation on portrayal of mental illness in Japan, and focused on Mental as case study. Personally was never a big fan of documentaries, however something about Mental and the way Kazuhiro Soda filmed it (along with the bts stories that I discovered in my research) really made the documentary grow on me, make me committed to the inhabitants of the mental health clinic. I finished watching the documentary with a heavy heart, and I was certainly so so committed in it all.
I really enjoy Kazuhiro-san's effort to bring up topics that no one else would in Japan. It is a nice documentary, a bit slow and repetitive at times, however, this is Japan's reality when dealing with mental disorders in the country. It's a nice effort to share the voice and worries of these people that are usually neglected and left aside in Japan.
