ELEVATE FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER, 2016
ELEVATE FILM FESTIVAL
Elevating Mental Health through Film
ELEVATE Film Festival took place in Perth & Kinross from 5-3o October 2017. A partnership
between PLUS Perth, Culture PK, Perth Film Society and Birks Cinema, the purpose of the
screenings was to bring mental health into the spotlight increasing conversation around
specific issues.
The Festival launched at Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy with The Carer, a comedy about a retired
Shakespearean actor and his Hungarian refugee carer. The film festival featured thought
provoking UK and International film with a focus on mental health such as Rocks in My
Pockets an animated film based on true events around the film maker’s family and their
battles with depression and suicide. Following Rocks a skype Q&A session with film
director Signe Baumaune added a very valuable dimension to the screening. Also in the
listing, Battle Mountain, an inspiring documentary following Scottish racing cyclist
Graeme Obree and his attempt for the world human –powered vehicle land speed record in
Nevada. The audience then joined with the film’s director David Street in post film
discussion where he spoke very openly about his own mental health challenges.
Susan Scott, manager of PLUS Perth said;
The different genres of each of these films raised issues that people generally have difficulty in
talking about such as suicide, psychosis, depression or self –harm. This film festival was
successful in helping to broaden views and deepen understanding on mental illness and the
things we do to stay mentally healthy.
Leaflets and resources were made accessible through information stands at each of the
screenings. Volunteers were also on hand to help with any queries about where to get help
and in some cases acted as listeners for those who had been moved by the films and
wanted to talk about their own experience.
ELEVATE was kindly funded by Film Hub Scotland and was part of the Scottish Mental
Health Arts and Film Festival 2016
COMMENTS
 Really enjoyed it, and the Q&A session was very interesting.
 I really enjoyed the hosting and the movie “Rocks in my Pocket”.
Connecting with Signe was a great idea, I’ll follow her work. Thank you
very much!
 Wonderful animation – capturing aspects of family and cultural situations
which can be experienced by all of us. Look forward to seeing and hearing
more of her work!
 Very thought provoking film – the skype Q&A with the writer / animator
really added another dimension.
 Thanks you so much, a wonderful film, so inspirational.
 Very thoughtful and inspirational film. Thank you!
 What an amazing film! Thank you so much.
 ‘Wild’ is superb, very inspirational.
 Soutar Lecture Theatre is a very comfortable venue.
 ‘Wild’ very engrossing film, open and honest account of one woman’s
struggle to come to terms with her past.
 A very thought provoking film.
 Vincent and the Doctor – very well written and showed past lives and
historical situations can apply to the present day. Demonstrated people
just being around rather than ‘helping’ is beneficial when suffering.
 An Angel at my Table – Janet Frame is obviously made of sterner stuff,
consider the ups and downs of her life. She overcomes all obstacle to
triumph in the end.
 Sound quality poor, but brilliant film. A very realistic opening to childhood.
Very realistic. Her loneliness was very believable and her shrink in Britain
seems to have been before his time. Removing a bad diagnosis without
transferring it to something else.
 The Road Within – Powerful film, deeply engaging, sheds light on
Tourette’s condition.
BATTLE MOUNTAIN
A large audience watched this fascinating film dealing with Graeme Obree's attempt to
break the world human powered speed record. His unconventional approach and humour
shone throughout as he made his attempt on what fellow cyclist Chris Boardman called
the Beastie. This involved lying down in the prone position and using push-pull leg strokes
in contrast to rotary motion. Suicide attempts, coming out as gay and family relationships
were mentioned but didn't get much coverage as Graeme pursued his goal, highlighting the
effort it takes to be a world champion. He broke the world prone speed record (56.62mph)
at Battle Mountain in Nevada but not the overall human powered record which is about
85mp. Director David Street took questions after but only Graeme could adequately tackle
most of these.
Stewart Herring
Battle mountain very inspiring and positive message. I found out about it as I am on emailing list from last year.
Great film at a great location and with added bonus of director. Well done. Could not be
improved (other than more people coming!)
Enjoyed the film and learning about Mr. Obree. My daughter watches items about cycling
and asked me if I would attend with her. Think it good to have this event and hope to visit
next time there is a film of interest.
Really enjoyed our evening. I heard about the film through information sent to me at work
(although I am based at PRI, I am actually employed by PKAVS and I'm fairly sure the info
came from Kerry Donaghy.) We were attracted to it because we are cyclists and big fans of
Graeme Obree.
Fantastic movie – the extraordinary along the ordinary was truly inspirational – and it was
insightful to see how his illness was both a challenge and a source of strength.
Loved it!
ATTENDANCES
Event
Time
(hh:mm)
18:15
14:00
14:00
19:30
Attended
19
12
15
43
Venue Name
The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy
AK Bell Library, Perth
AK Bell Library, Perth
AK Bell Library, Perth
Film Name
The Carer
Rocks in my Pocket
Wild
Battle Mountain
Event Date
(dd/mm/yyyy)
05/10/2016
10/10/2016
11/10/2016
13/10/2016
AK Bell Library, Perth
AK Bell Library, Perth
Vincent and the Doctor
An Angel at my Table
18/10/2016
19/10/2016
14:00
13:30
14
14
AK Bell Library, Perth
The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy
The Road Within
Wild
21/10/2016
30/10/2016
14:00
18:00
27
50
Total
194
IDEAS/DISCUSSION FOR NEXT YEAR
You could charge people to come in, for tea and coffee too
Most of the films of the programme appealed to me but work and evening commitments meant that
I could only get to one of them!
3 ideas that came from a friend who was a Director in BBC children's TV for many years and to whom
we talked about your films last year:"Bonkers". Re child carer of bi-polar parent. Produced by a Dutch company.
"Cowboy". Bereavement content..
Same company