JAPAN - USA | 2008 | Color | Observational Film | 135 min 

ProRes I JAPANESE I 23.976 fps I 16:9 I  Stereo

 SYNOPSIS 

MENTAL is a documentary that observes the complex world of a unique outpatient mental health clinic in Japan, interwoven with patients, Dr. YAMAMOTO, staff, volunteers, and home-helpers. The film breaks a major taboo against discussing mental illness and captures the candid lives of people coping with suicidal tendencies, poverty, a sense of shame, apprehension, and fear of society. 

 CAST & CREDITS 

Director

DoP            

Editors   

Producer

Production

International Sales

Kazuhiro​ SODA

Kazuhiro​ SODA

Kazuhiro​ SODA

Kazuhiro​ SODA

Laboratory X, Inc.

ASIAN SHADOWS

 FESTIVALS 

- Berlinale Forum

- TIDF, Taiwan

- Cinema du Réel, France

- MoMA Doc Fortnight, USA

- BAFICI, Argentina

- It's All True Documentary FF, Brazil

 AWARDS 

- Busan International Film Festival 2008

          Best Documentary Award 

- Dubai International Film Festival 2008

          Best Documentary Award 

- Miami International Film Festival 2009

          Special Jury Mention (For the courage of subject matter)

- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2009

          Outstanding Documentary Award

- Visions du Réel 2009

          Inter-religious Jury Prize