Herself - Host
Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in North America. Panic attacks, discomfort, ruminations, isolation: anxiety prevents those who suffer from it from living their lives to the full and plunges them into sometimes insurmountable distress. Is there more anxiety than ever before? How do we get out of this?
Damon Smith has estimated that he has spent around 50,000 hours of his life, so far, participating in absurd ritualistic behaviours associated with his obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). With a diagnosis of both, OCD and Bipolar Disorder, and with the help of his anxious friend, Adam Coad, these Australian singer-songwriters share, through original music, preposterous humour, and outlandish animations, the intricate and debilitating nature of what it is like to live and talk about mental illness in a world where it’s ok to talk about a broken arm, but not ok to talk about a broken mind.
This documentary attempts to understand why so many comedians experience mental health issues, a condition that stands in stark contrast to their profession. Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts: these are the heavy subjects they dare to tackle on stage. Cathy Gauthier, Coco Belliveau, Jean-François Mercier, Mario Jean, Maude Landry, Preach and Simon Gouache testify.
Four people suffering from various forms of clinical anxiety disorders tell us what it's like to live and work with this illness. They discuss the stigma attached to being anxious, and also how to cope with the symptoms using things like medication, supplements, self love and meditation. All of this in an endless search for anxiety relief.
Kaleb Allen is plagued by recurring nightmares, where a dark presence watches him every night. Fearing sleep, he's unable to escape these vivid dreams that blur the line between reality and fantasy. As the dreams intensify, Kaleb begins to suspect that they are more than mere nightmares—they might be something far more sinister.
Suffering from extreme anxiety, Alan has booked a remote cottage in the Scottish Wilderness to try to help him, however he is unaware of the true nightmare he is about to experience... From the makers of 2023 Horror-On-Sea Screener STAG'S HEAD as well as a host of independent films, THE GHILLIE DHU is the latest mix of folklore, horror, creepiness, and creativity. With an amazing sound mix and soundtrack by MATT WHITBY, and directed by DOUGLAS KYLE, The Ghillie Dhu was made in the heart of winter in the Scottish Highlands, utilizing the beautiful scenery and deep folklore myth.
