STARRY NIGHT

description

Set in Calgary, STARRY NIGHT documents the artistic and personal triumphs of a remarkable troupe of performers who breathe life into a play centred around schizophrenia – a condition they themselves grapple with.

Against the backdrop of the play, the documentary follows the journeys of performers whose courageous acts of self-expression reflect their distinct efforts to live with and not be defined by their illness. STARRY NIGHT centres on the performers living with schizophrenia, and director Bruce Thomas Miller, an administrator at the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta. The film follows them as they tour and rehearse the play called “Starry Night”, an educational performance that teaches audiences about schizophrenia from a lived-experience perspective. Group participants share their personal experiences about how performing the play has contributed to improved quality of life. The film explores the themes of art as a therapeutic tool and the role of community as harm reduction, offering a hopeful perspective: a diagnosis of schizophrenia holds the potential for a healthy and fulfilling life.

DIRECTOR'S BIO
Bruce Thomas Miller is Anishinaabe and is registered with the Matachewan First Nation, Treaty 9. He is currently based in Calgary, Alberta. Bruce is a writer, director, and producer of scripted, non-scripted, and animated content. With over 15 years of experience in the social sector, including working at Canada’s largest homeless shelter, he is passionate about bringing truthful stories about important issues to the screen. His films such as CONVICTION have received awards and recognition both nationally and internationally. Bruce is a dedicated filmmaker with a vision that brings a fresh perspective to the industry.