VSE OKOLI MENE

This thesis examines the portrayal of mental illness in cinema, aiming to critically analyze existing perceptions and representations. By reviewing films depicting mental disorders, focusing on depression and schizophrenia, and their impact on audience perceptions, the study aims to develop a methodology for creating realistic and ethical portrayals of mentally ill characters. The goal is to contribute to a more compassionate societal understanding of mental health issues, aiming to reduce stigma and promote respectful representation in filmmaking. The thesis also includes a practical exploration of these concepts through the development and depiction of a mentally ill character in a short student film project, providing insights into the creative, ethical, and practical challenges involved, in addition to describing the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of the creation of a student short film All Around Me.