This moving and informative film features seven women—including the filmmaker—describing their experiences with manic depression, multiple personalities, schizophrenia, euphoria and recovery. Candid interviews are enriched with dramatic reenactments and visualizations of each woman's history, emotions, and dreams—the private symbols of madness and sanity. The social dimensions of women and mental illness are revealed in testimony about sexual assault, incest, racism and homophobia, the abuses of the medical establishment, family, and church. Acknowledging that "madness" is often a way of explaining women's self-expression, this film charges us to listen to the creativity and courage of survivors. Produced by the Academy Award winning filmmakers of In The Shadows of the Stars, DIALOGUES WITH MADWOMEN is a ground-breaking film about women and mental illness.
"Important, affecting...fascinating in the way it challenges us to see these women on their own terms and simultaneously question our notions of 'normal' behavior." Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
"Riveting and revelatory...(a) remarkable film." Sean Elder, Vogue
"Poignant and moving, a candid documentary about women and mental illness." Cathy Nash, American Psychiatric Association
Mental Heath,Historical,Mental Hospital,Psychological,Psychology,mental illness,manic depression,multiple personalities,schizophrenia,euphoria,sexual assault,incest,racism,homophobia,medical abuse; "Dialogues with Madwomen"; Women Make Movies
Distributor: Women Make Movies
Length: 90 minutes
Date: 1993
Genre: Expository
Language: English / English subtitles
Grade: College, Adults
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Not available
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