Love & Trouble Set to Spark Conversations on Mental Health
- LOVE & TROUBLE
- 24/10/2024
- READING TIME: 3'
Love & Trouble had a successful world premiere at Dokumentale, where it was screened on the 19th and 20th of October. One of the screenings was followed by a Q&A with Amy Hardie, the film’s director, protagonist Kerry Watson, and psychologist Matthias Schwannauer.
The film offers an intimate exploration of trauma, and how to navigate shame, anger, and love. It follows Kenny and Kerry, a young couple who enter their marriage with secrets that threaten their relationship. After the birth of their baby, Kenny’s PTSD is triggered by the infant’s crying. He becomes disoriented, referring to the cries as “the screams,” and it seems the marriage is at breaking point. However, Kerry decides to return to school to study how the brain works, discovering that suffering isn’t inevitable – something can be done about it.
Kerry, whose story is central to the film, emphasised the potential for Love & Trouble to inspire change around issues such as mental health, sexual consent, and the NHS’s handling of trauma. In a post made after the screening, she wrote, “I feel a mix of emotions – excitement for the impact our story may have, and nervousness about the vulnerability of sharing such personal experiences with the public. However, I am confident that our message of perseverance, resilience, hope, and healing will resonate with viewers and spark meaningful conversations about mental health awareness.”
One of the ways the film is already inspiring change is through its use in training future psychologists. It is set to be used in the University of Edinburgh’s clinical psychology department as part of their educational programme.