Bandit Films

Melbourne
Film & Video

THE MOUNTAINS ARE IN MY BLOOD:

A$650
of $7,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 30th Nov 2011 at 1:00AM.
                                    
The production of "The mountains are in my blood" is a conversation with David about his lived experience with mental illness  and the long path towards recovery. David shares an intimate reflection about his past, providing some personal insight into what experiencing and recovering from a psychosis can be like. Via your financial support  the films completed production and ultimate distribution will hopefully stimulate and inform debate around the important subject of mental health and community  awareness. The completion of this film will hopefully see David's story gain a wide distribution across local and international film festivals, public libraries, educational and public health networks.   Thank you for your support                                                                                                                                                                          David Braniff and Tom Broadhurst 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
I have been shooting a film for the past 12 months about a friend of mind David Braniff, who suffered a psychotic breakdown whilst living in London during 1996. He has since made a recovery and has gone onto work as a regional mentor in the rural area's of the Australian Mental Health sector. "The mountains are in my blood" is David's story about drifting into a mental illness and the path towards recovery.                                                                                                         - Director: Tom Broadhurst                                                                                                    

 

My Story

In 1997 whilst living in London and working as a civil engineer I was struck by a serious psychosis that came on very quickly. This illness developed in the space of a few days and very quickly I had lost almost all touch with this reality. In my mind I was living in a bizarre and cosmic theatrical construct. God has many children and I believed I was one of them, having been selected for some greater cosmic purpose.

 

In the years to follow I was to gain insight and awareness into an experience that I wasn't really in control of but was also part of me, my mind, thoughts and feelings.

 

For four years my psychosis occupied 100% of my waking hours. I vividly chased my mind around with creative and meaningful thought process. It meant something to me - not easily interpreted by others. The internal dialogue of my mind followed a story that in the finish had really created its own mythology and developed a meaning in a certain kind of personal sense of divinity that only I could relate to.

 

After a psychosis it is very common to get depression. I had years of living amongst the hard black cloud. It was as hard to endure as the psychosis.

 

Years of the double edged sword of psychosis and depression had totally damaged my connection with the community and society in general. I was living on the fringe. I did not however, fall through the cracks in the system like many others do. I attribute this survival to having a strong and supportive connection with close friends and a loving family.

 

Many years of slow but rewarding recovery followed.

 

I had to be diligent and patient with the process of re-establishing connection with my previous life. I wanted to be myself and live in the real world. I now love the idea of contributing to society and like my place within the community. This is the opposite of a term used in the mental health field "social isolation".

 

My "lived experience" of mental illness has enabled me to work as a Recovery Mentor in PHaMs Programs in Mackay, Qld and Wodonga, Victoria.

 

I have been encouraged to articulate my experience through writing papers and making public presentations about mental illness and community awareness issues. 

- David Braniff

 

                 

An exclusive copy of the finished film, sent to you via a secure link for your own personal screening, and our immense gratitude for playing such a significant role in the finishing of our film

1 chosen / 39 available

Est. delivery is Jun 26

An exclusive copy of the finished film, sent to you via a secure link for your own personal screening, and our immense gratitude for playing such a significant role in the finishing of our film. Thanks in the credits

1 chosen / 19 available

Est. delivery is Jun 26

An exclusive copy of the finished film, sent to you via a secure link for your own personal screening, and our immense gratitude for playing such a significant role in the finishing of our film. Copy of DVD Thanks in the credits

1 chosen / 9 available

Est. delivery is Jun 26

An exclusive copy of the finished film, sent to you via a secure link for your own personal screening, and our immense gratitude for playing such a significant role in the finishing of our film. Copy of DVD Copy of a book of photography by director Tom Broadhurst

0 chosen / 2 available

Est. delivery is Jun 26