Screenology

Trauma

When Movie Trauma Mimics Historical Trauma

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on July 2, 2024

What happens when we watch fictionalized imitations of historical traumatic events?

Media

Why Can’t Depression Barbie Be Real?

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on September 28, 2023

We’ve seen characters with mental health conditions highlighted in movies and TV, but what prevents us from creating psychologically centered dolls?

Media

The Danger of Telling Mental-Health-Focused Stories

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on August 5, 2023

The desire to highlight mental health via cinematic storytelling is a worthy goal but done incorrectly, it can be harmful. The key is community.

Depression

Hey, Oscar: Is the Academy Doing Enough for Mental Health?

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on March 2, 2023

A Personal Perspective: We need to acknowledge more films about mental health.

Bipolar Disorder

How Will We Know When Mental Health Has Been Normalized?

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on December 20, 2022

A Personal Perspective: What would happen if we saw more ordinary, unheroic, or even hateful characters with mental health concerns?

Bipolar Disorder

Is Accuracy Enough When Depicting Mental Health on Film?

David E. Tolchinsky MFA on November 9, 2022

Is accuracy enough when depicting mental health on film, or do good depictions involve a complex interaction of accuracy, artistic license, and other factors?