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December 05, 2007

Psychoanalysts Look at Films at the Baltimore Museum of Art

Baltimore/Washington Center for Psychoanalysis Presents a Film/Discussion Series:
Close-ups: Psychoanalysts Look at Films
At the Baltimore Museum of Art
April 11, 18, 25, and May 2
7:30 p.m.

In this series, psychoanalysts explore movies to bring out psychological themes. The discussions are directed at mental health professionals and anyone who is interested in human motivation and emotions. For further information phone 410-792-8060 or 301-570-3635.

SUPERBAD
Friday, April 11
Director: Greg Mottola
Discussant: William Wimmer, M.D.
This bittersweet comedy revolves around Evan and Seth, two inseparable buddies who must soon say goodbye as they leave for different colleges. Both are excited by the prospect of "getting with" a girl but are frightened of the unknown. Their friendship is a safe haven but complicated by homoerotic conflicts and Seth's resentment and rivalry with Evan's other relationships. This is a film with many laughs, but at the same time it is a sensitive depiction of typical male adolescent emotional conflicts and their potential resolutions.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WORDS
Friday April 18
Director: Isabel Coixet
Discussant: George Gallahorn, M.D.
Josef (Tim Robbins)and Hanna (Sarah Polley) have been traumatized recently and in the past. Josef, a worker on an oil rig, is burned and temporarily blinded by a fire. Hanna, who is partially deaf, comes to the rig to nurse him until he can safely be moved to shore. We see from their initial interactions how they keep themselves separated from others by a variety of defenses. Unconsciously, in some small and not so small ways, they repeat their traumas. As an empathic bond slowly develops between them, they are able to speak about their traumas and help one another to heal. Though Spanish, the language of the film is English.

TAKE MY EYES
Friday, April 25
Director: Iciar Bollain
Discussant: Barbara Young, M.D.
How is it that two people who love each other dearly - who loan each other their bodies piece by piece in passionate love-making - can arrive at an unbearably painful parting of the ways? The answer to this mystery is gradually revealed as we watch Pilar fighting to save her body and soul from Antonio's violent outbursts, and Antonio's attempts to gain control of himself. We glimpse enough of their backgrounds to grasp the reasons for their sadomasochistic reltionship. Pilar succeeds in escaping her martyrdom after she accuses her mother of being a martyr. The best efforts of a group therapist can no more contain Antonia's jealous rage than a silken net can contain an injured bull. His terror at being abandoned brings about the very thing he most fears.

15 PARK AVENUE
Friday, May 2
Director: Aparna Sen
Discussant: Joseph Bierman, M.D.
Set in modern Calcutta and Bhutan, this Indian film explores the minds and feelings of an Indian family: a young schizophrenic woman who has the delusion that she has a home on Park Avenue with a husband and five children; her unmarried older half sister who is a professor of physics; her parents; and her former fiance. The film is a sympathetic and realistic portrayal of the reactions of the family and former fiance to the mentally ill woman, including guilt, loyalty, anger, and self sacrifice. The involvement of an older experienced psychiatrist is depicted.

Posted by admin at December 5, 2007 04:48 PM