Breaking The Chains - Preview Screening

Arts in Action proudly presents an advanced preview screening of “Breaking the Chains” - an eye opening ethnographic documentary about the human rights abuse of people with a mental illness in Indonesia and the efforts of social activists to stop it. The film by Dr Erminia Colucci, in collaboration with Ass/Prof Harry Minas (Centre for International Mental Health, The University of Melbourne), Dr Hervita Diatri and other Indonesian partners, depicts the use of a widespread inhumane and universally ignored practice of using shackles and chains (known in Indonesia aspasung) to physically restrain persons with mental illness.

This groundbreaking documentary contributes to an understanding of pasung, the reasons behind its practice, the issues that must be overcome and the social and political activism needed to eradicate this form of human rights abuse in countries all over the world. “Breaking the Chains” is a first of its kind documentary which situates pasung in the socio-cultural-political situation of Indonesia and gives voice to people with a mental illness in Indonesia and throughout the world who are living under similar restraints.

The documentary also tells an original story about the social and political activism being carried out at several levels (from consumer volunteer organizations, to the pasung survivors and their communities) in order to eradicate this form of human rights abuse and give freedom and dignity to people with a mental illness.

By showcasing the current social and political activism happening in Indonesia, “Breaking the Chains” aims to stimulate and encourage movement and reaction, not only in other countries around the world where similar practices that deny the basic human rights and promote abuses are presently occurring, but also intends to increase awareness and stimulate action and advocacy for human rights on a global level.

This special advanced screening follows two screenings of the film being held at WHO headquarters in Geneva on the 11th of October and at LSHTM in London on the 15th October.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker Dr. Erminia Colucci and a special panel of expert guests.