Special Events
New Kiwi film The Insatiable Moon - trailer
Film trailer
Stigma & discrimination and inclusive communities are themes running throughout The Insatiable Moon, the newly released film adaptation of New Zealand writer/screenwriter Mike Riddell’s popular 1997 novel of the same name.
Mike spent several years working with people with mental health problems and the underprivileged, and he draws on that experience both in penning the novel and writing the screenplay.
The film follows the story of Arthur, the self-proclaimed second son of God, as he sets out to save the world he loves. He brings wonder and hope to his enchanted urban life in Auckland’s Ponsonby, shadowed by his devoted band of boarding house friends – including foul-mouthed but lovable house manager Bob – and fragile community worker Margaret.
When the closure of his communal home is threatened, Arthur sees an opportunity to prove his heavenly credentials. He preaches his vision of a just and caring society to those who would destroy his world. Just when it seems he has worked another of his miracles, his own mind begins to disintegrate and he is confined to the local psychiatric ward. Has it all come to nothing? Was Arthur's insight offered in vain? Even in the face of despair, it seems that Arthur’s magic continues...
The Insatiable Moon stars Rawiri Paratene as Arthur, alongside other well-known New Zealand actors including Ian Mune, Sara Wiseman and Greg Johnson. The film soundtrack includes music by Johnny Matteson and samRB, who have both worked as mental health promoters for the Mental Health Foundation on the Like Minds, Like Mine Programme.
The Mental Health Foundation has supported the film by sponsoring the premiere at New Zealand’s International Film Festival in July and is encouraging New Zealanders to go and see it.
“The Mental Health Foundation is delighted to support The Insatiable Moon,” Chief Executive Judi Clements says.
“Director Rosemary Riddell and the actors involved have done a wonderful job producing an entertaining movie that is thought-provoking and can’t help but stimulate discussion. It’s the kind of movie that stays with you long after you’ve seen it.”
Mike Riddell says the film offers an insight into a world that’s different from the one you might inhabit, and he hopes The Insatiable Moon will help reduce the stigma of mental illness.
The film will be distributed in cinemas by Rialto from 7 October 2010.
Go to: http://theinsatiablemoon.wordpress.com/ for more information.
Behind The Insatiable Moon - documentary trailer
Documentary trailer
Mental health issues are a common part of being human.
In this statement, Mental Health Foundation CE Judi Clements reveals what lies at the heart of The Insatiable Moon – a Kiwi film premiering during this month’s Film Festival.
In a trailer for the yet to be completed documentaryThe Story Behind The Insatiable Moon, about the making of the film, Judi says the World Health Organisation predicts depression will be the second highest health issue by 2020.
“[That’s why the Mental Health Foundation] works in promoting awareness of mental health and what people can do to develop and sustain their own mental health and wellbeing. As well as trying to eradicate discrimination and stigma people with a mental illness often experience, “ she says.
Also featured in the documentary is Foundation mental health promoter Johnny Matteson whose music is included in the film’s soundtrack.
In real life, Johnny met Arthur, the inspiration for Mike Riddell’s book The Insatiable Moon, and talked with actor Rawini Paratene about Arthur’s seeming normality, that is, until he tried to convince people he was the Second Son of God.
Johnny says "people in the psychiatric service", whom he has met and variously consider themselves to be Elvis, the Virgin Mary, the Second Son of God, and even the Devil Incarnate, have all been really nice people. It is this human side of people who are mentally unwell that this quirky, at times humorous, and strangely satisfying, film artfully portrays.
In Mike’s own words: “Some people who are classified as mad are really quite sane, comparatively, and some people who are supposed to be paragons of sanity can do very crazy things.”
Bullying Forum 13 April 2010
The Mental Health Foundation and the Back to School Network are thrilled at the success of this event!
The event received wide spread media coverage and included an excellent array of speakers including Dr Janis Carroll-Lind from the Children's Commission, Lee Chisholm from NETSAFE, Rainbow Youth's Priscilla Penniket and Mike Williams from Edgewater College.
Resources from the day now available online include video interviews of presenters, a directory of services, Dr Janis Carroll-Lind's Responsive Schools report and the key speakers' presentations (available via Tina Helm)
The Foundation thanks mental health promoters Tina Helm and Angela Culpin for all their hard work in making this such an inspiring and useful event.
The Foundation would also like to thank mental health promoter Tracey Sparksman, Back to School network members, and all the other supporters for their contribution to the day.
Read more about the Bullying Forum.
Schizophrenia Awareness Week 8-15 March 2010
This year the Mental Health Foundation is partnering with Supporting Families in Mental Illness (SFMI) Auckland to promote Schizophrenia Awareness Week. The focus of the national campaign is on reducing stigma and increasing the awareness of the role family/whānau play in recovery.
Lisa Ducat, coordinator of Schizophrenia Awareness Week for SFMI Auckland, says they will be encouraging people to talk about schizophrenia in three ways.
"We will be providing opportunities for groups and individuals to talk about the experience of schizophrenia and the role of family/ whānau; promoting awareness of where family/ whānau can seek further information and support, and providing information and education on schizophrenia," she says.
SFMI Auckland invites individuals to take part in the week by running their own event or by contacting SFMI to find out about workshops available.
Further information about schizophrenia and the nationwide events during the awareness week can be found at www.sfauckland.org.nz and on these pages.
Read our press release.
General schizophrenia information, links and resources
Recommended reading about schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia? - English
What is schizophrenia? - Maori
MHINZ booklet on schizophrenia
