Family Life

Ken Loach’s rarely seen early drama adapted from David Mercer’s TV play In Two Minds, is a characteristically powerful slice of social realism and a bitter indictment of the British mental health system in the early 70s. 19-year-old Janice is an increasing worry for her overbearing suburban parents as she has become increasingly withdrawn and rebellious. As the situation deteriorates, eventually she is taken to a public mental institution, but there is much controversy over the appropriate treatment. Screening in conjunction with the Time to Change initiative, re-evaluating the relationship of attitudes to mental health and cinema, see also Peter Byrne’s Screentalk.