A Brush With Life
Video
with
Suzanne Hamel
Video

A Brush With Life

Filmed over two years, A Brush with Life is the compelling portrait of Diane, a gifted artist struggling to free herself from mental illness through an innovative art therapy program at the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, Montréal’s largest psychiatric hospital. The program led Diane out of a private hell. In her year spent working with therapeutic art specialist Suzanne Hamel, Diane discovered a way to cope with a multiple personality disorder brought on by a childhood of abuse. Diane’s struggle invites the viewer to question the delicate balance of the human condition. With haunting images and empathy, A Brush with Life chronicles an exceptional individual’s search for well-being. Video Length: 50m
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Overview

The program led Diane out of a private hell. In her year spent working with therapeutic art specialist Suzanne Hamel, Diane discovered a way to cope with a multiple personality disorder brought on by a childhood of abuse. Diane’s struggle invites the viewer to question the delicate balance of the human condition. With haunting images and empathy, A Brush with Life chronicles an exceptional individual’s search for well-being.

Awards:

** Silver Apple Winner, 1997 National Educational Media Network Competition
** Best of the Festival, 1995 Hot Docs (Toronto)
** Special Jury Prize Winner, 1994 Festival du Films sur l’Art (Paris)
** Silver Plaque Winner, 1994 Chicago Film Festival
** Honorable Mention, 1994 Columbus Film Festival

This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc. 

About the Experts

Expert

Suzanne Hamel

Suzanne Hamel was compensated for her contribution. None of her books or additional offerings are required for any of the Psychotherapy.net content. Should such materials be referenced, it is as an additional resource.

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