According to the Mental Health Foundation mental illness affects one in four people in the UK. Young filmmaker Bryony Blyth from Bath created her film The Cracked Mask to give people an insight into the minds of people with anxiety.
Bryony, 20, has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. People with autism and Asperger’s syndrome are vulnerable to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
She suffers with anxiety, depression and OCD. Most people who are diagnosed with Asperger’s as a teenager or young adult are first treated for anxiety.
People who suffer from Asperger’s often struggle with social interaction. Bryony said she struggles to read people’s emotions.
“Some people find me abrupt, rude and I’ve even been called racist but I just don’t always know how to interact with people.”
She suffers with anxiety, depression and OCD. Most people who are diagnosed with Asperger’s as a teenager or young adult are first treated for anxiety.
People who suffer from Asperger’s often struggle with social interaction. Bryony said she struggles to read people’s emotions.
“Some people find me abrupt, rude and I’ve even been called racist but I just don’t always know how to interact with people.”
“Every generation has issues that they have to overcome. "
After realising that people didn’t understand how her anxiety affects her she decided to make a film showing what it’s like to live with a mental illness.
“I wanted to show that it is not just someone who has odd quirks or weird reactions. It’s someone who needs help.”
In the film she uses a boy to personify the main characters mental illness. He provided a stream of conscious based on what people with anxiety think in everyday situations. Bryony said she wanted people to have a chance to see something they don’t normally see.
In the feedback, she’s had from her film people have told her that what the actor playing the mental illness says is very harsh and uncomfortable to watch.
“It is harsh but that’s what people think and that is what they have to try to cope with. These horrid thoughts every day and often without any help.”
“I wanted to show that it is not just someone who has odd quirks or weird reactions. It’s someone who needs help.”
In the film she uses a boy to personify the main characters mental illness. He provided a stream of conscious based on what people with anxiety think in everyday situations. Bryony said she wanted people to have a chance to see something they don’t normally see.
In the feedback, she’s had from her film people have told her that what the actor playing the mental illness says is very harsh and uncomfortable to watch.
“It is harsh but that’s what people think and that is what they have to try to cope with. These horrid thoughts every day and often without any help.”
Bryony not only wrote the script for the film but she also cast it, filmed it and did the set up and lighting.
Bryony wants to create short films which show social issues and taboo. Her next project will be on same sex relationships.
“Every generation has issues that they have to overcome. Film is a good way to teach people not to judge people, and show that we are all equal.”
Bryony wants to create short films which show social issues and taboo. Her next project will be on same sex relationships.
“Every generation has issues that they have to overcome. Film is a good way to teach people not to judge people, and show that we are all equal.”