One World Cinema

Instead of having parents who provide for her,  fifteen year old Sarah takes on the role of parent, and acts as the mother to her own mother, and her younger brother and sister. Her mother, who is suffering from bipolar disorder, recently had her welfare benefits cut.  Sarah is also being bullied at school by the popular kids from affluent backgrounds, and is working at the local arcade for food and rent money.

When her drama teacher picks up on Sarah’s angst (without knowing the full extent of her tumultuous personal life), he encourages her to channel her anger and frustration into standup comedy.

The film sheds light on mental health, and the psychologic damage of being bullied.

• Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
• Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
• Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.
• Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders— defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.

Great performance from the actress who plays Sarah, Liv Hil.

Comments are closed.