'Breaking the Chains' (65 min, official release 2014) depicts the use of physical restraint and confinement of people with mental illness in Indonesia, an illegal practice known as pasung in this country but common also in other low and middle income countries. As result of this practice, thousands of people in Indonesia (and many more worldwide) are estimated to live in isolation, chained and/or inside cages, naked, undernourished and sometimes living in their own excrement. The mental and physical consequences of these conditions are profound (e.g. several people lose the ability to walk or years of their life), including death as it has already occurred to 3 of the people I filmed...

This ethnographic documentary contributes to an understanding of pasung, the reasons behind this practice and the issues that must be overcome to eradicate this widespread human rights abuse. In particular, it follows the activities that have been initiated by an organization run by volunteers also with mental health problems.

This film tells an original story about the social and political activism to free people with mentally illness from this practice.

By showcasing activities carried out in Indonesia, ‘Breaking the Chains’ aims to stimulate and encourage action also in countries where similar practices that deny basic human rights and result in severe forms of abuses are presently occurring.

For more info visit the website.

The generous support towards the first pozible campaign (Titled: 'The fight for human rights') and seed funds from OneWorld Media (UK) allowed me to shoot the film which, combined with another year of passionate hard-work and the generosity of those who volunteered their time, resulted in a 65 min cut!
I'm really excited to see the story coming to life and start sharing with some of you through preview screenings (including at WHO headquarters for World Mental Health Day 2013). But now I need support for everything post production - including professional sound mixing and DVD mastering, authoring and design - and to start the distribution of the film, outreach and community engagement activities for the official release at the beginning of 2014.

By becoming a supporter of 'Breaking the chains' or continuing to support it, you get to be part of the process by receiving updates on the project's progress as well as the rewards listed in this webpage. But more importantly, you will join me and other activists in breaking the silence surrounding these widespread human rights abuses and put the rights of people with mental health problems on the agenda!

In the first year after filming Breaking the chains, 3 of the 8 people I followed more closely for the film, DIED! Please take part in this campaign to stop widespread neglected human rights abuses against people with mental health problems.

Check out the film website for more information and please share this pozible campaign with friends, family and colleagues who may be interested in this human rights' quest. Every little bit counts!

Thanks to some generous supporters, the film has been shot and edited. It has also been previewed by the key people in the film and leaders in the field... so we are now ready for the last step (post-production) and to commence the distribution and the very important outreach and community engagement tasks to get the action going! These activities have costs associated with them and movie-ment needs you to join the activism and get this film out to the world!