Film poster for "THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH". Two people are sitting on a bench.

CONFRONTED WITH A NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN 2006, A ZIMBABWEAN PSYCHIATRIST BEGAN TRAINING LOCAL GRANDMOTHERS TO TREAT DEPRESSION. HIS VISIONARY INITIATIVE - THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH - HAS SINCE EXPANDED TO COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.

THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH

Name: THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH
Brand: CONFRONTED WITH A NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN 2006, A ZIMBABWEAN PSYCHIATRIST BEGAN TRAINING LOCAL GRANDMOTHERS TO TREAT DEPRESSION. HIS VISIONARY INITIATIVE - THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH - HAS SINCE EXPANDED TO COMMUNITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
SKU: THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH
Price: 129.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$129.00

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SAGE Encounters Refinery Best Edited Film Award - Encounters Film Festival | European Premiere at Dokumentale

Mental Health • Grandmothers • Zimbabwe • Social Impact • Community Strengthening • Africa • Psychiatry • Public Health • Gogos

In 2006, Dr. Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist in Zimbabwe, was ordered by the government to deal with the severe mental health crisis afflicting the nation. However, there was literally a handful of psychiatrists in the entire country, which meant searching for a solution beyond conventional medicine. That forced him to consider grandmothers (Gogos) as his only option. Starting with a group of 14 Gogos, he began training them in cognitive therapy to treat depression on public benches. By creating a narrative tapestry through the stories of the Gogos and the lives of their clients, the film explores Dr. Dixon’s visionary initiative of establishing a Friendship Bench within communities everywhere. His initiative has since expanded throughout Zimbabwe into neighboring countries and beyond to communities all over the world.

Link to film's website: http://www.sealionfilms.com/thefriendshipbench

Encounters Film Festival
"The jury were “moved and inspired by this life-affirming story of how a simple grassroots idea, harnessing the power of Gogos (grandmothers), can have a profound impact on the mental health of communities. All aspects of the edit: story, emotion, image flow, and style, worked together to make The Friendship Bench a truly compelling film. From the evocative opening - literally ‘walking in the footsteps’ of these women - the story pulled us in; and we were eloquently guided through the intellectual journey by our protagonist (always saying just enough, and not a word more). Style worked in the service of the story: simple, clear, effective - and was sustained throughout. The interplay between interactions, narration and lyrical moments was well balanced. The emotional journey of the Gogos and the people they help was at times harrowing, at times hopeful and full of joy - but always gripping. Moments left to linger, like the woman joining the back of the queue, showed very effective use of pacing. The film was clearly and authentically African. Through choice of music, beautifully cut scenes of singing and praying, the use of colour and the overall look, it captured the richness and vibrancy of the culture. It’s rare to come across such a hopeful story. Truly inspiring!”

AWARDS
SAGE Encounters Refinery Best Edited Film Award | Encounters Film Festival (World Premiere)
Best Documentary for South Africa | SOTAMBE Zambia International Film Festival (ZAMIFF)

FILM FESTIVALS
Dokumentale (European Premiere)