A 'schizophrenia love story road movie' comes to Oban
Riptide, a 'Scottish schizophrenia love story road movie', will screen in Lorn and Lochaber during Mental Health Awareness Week, aiming to busts myths and stigma about the psychiatric condition.
Schizophrenia affects one in 100 of the population, manifests itself in broadly similar ways across the world and is still widely misunderstood, misrepresented and stigmatized, the movie's crew said, adding: 'Our film aims to help correct the record, telling a unique story with authenticity, integrity, hope, and humour.'
'Our Scottish schizophrenia love story road movie was launched in 2020, and has been screening at festivals around the world - 14 so far,' said its writer and director Tim Barrow.
'Riptide was made to tell an authentic, hopeful tale of schizophrenia, and help bust myths and stigma. We researched with people at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for seven years, under the guidance of Professor Stephen Lawrie, head of psychiatry at Edinburgh University.'
Professor Lawrie explained: 'Schizophrenia is characterised by delusions and hallucinations. The arts, and film in particular, have a role in reducing the stigmatisation of mental illness and they provide opportunities for people to hear stories about mental illness in a way which corrects the myths and stereotypes people have about these conditions.'
The film, which cost just £12,000 to make, is being screened at Oban's Phoenix Cinema from Friday May 6 to Thursday May 12, with a showing at the Highland Cinema, Fort William, on Monday May 9.
'We're screening in Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-15), bringing folk together in cinemas to celebrate this Scottish story on the big screen,' added Tim.
'A key part of our events are the post-showing audience Q&A sessions - we're keen to keep the conversations going around mental health, psychosis, wellbeing, art and hope.
'The response to Riptide has been fantastic and humbling, and we're now at the best part of the journey - sharing our film with live audiences.'
The film's synopsis begins: 'Discharged from a psychiatric hospital, Jacob attempts to resume life in Edinburgh, control his schizophrenia, and be a worthy society member. He works collecting litter from streets and parks. He boxes. He takes medication. He writes everything down. His dad barely wants to know him.
'Frustrated by a banal existence and encouraged by his psychiatrist, Jacob travels to the Highlands in search of fulfilment.
'By the sea he encounters the charismatic Eva, who claims to be the secret daughter of Ingmar Bergman. And she’s on a mission.'
Riptide is inspired by the 'support, guidance, humour and life-affirming recovery tales of people with schizophrenia, as well as scientific research and medical care'.
Riptide was shot across Scotland by director of photography Robbie Jones, edited in Glasgow by Callum Warrender, colour-graded by Tony Moore, and sound designed at Molinare in London by Dan Johnson.