Phil Borges, social documentary photographer and filmmaker, has directed a new film Crazywise. For more than 25 years he has been documenting indigenous and tribal cultures, striving to create an understanding of the challenges they face. He has visited many of the remaining cultures whose beliefs encourage a spiritual communion with the environment. He began to interview and photograph many of the people in these cultures and their spiritual mediators, the Shamans. The vast majority of the shamans he met were identified then nurtured to become healers or seers after they suffered what we in our culture refer to as a psychotic break from reality.
Fascinated by this difference in cultural framing (psychosis vs gift), Borges was left with many questions, and Crazywise chronicles his continuing exploration for greater understanding.
“In a sense, this new project began long before today. It started while I was interviewing the shaman and living with pre-industrial cultures. These were the experiences and insights that stuck with me, and have now become the catalyst for my current exploration: one that I hope provides a deeper understanding of our inner worlds.” —Phil Borges
A feature length documentary, Crazywise, centers around a young man struggling with his sanity, world renowned mental health professionals and a survivor-led movement… all challenging a mental health system in crisis.
A Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign for Crazywise has been launched with a goal of raising $75,000 by June 20 for remaining production and post-production costs. View the movie trailer and additional info on the Kickstarter page.
Phil Borges’ work is exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, and his award winning books have been published in four languages. Borges has hosted television documentaries on indigenous cultures for Discovery and National Geographic. As an experienced lecturer, he has spoken at multiple TED talks, and has directed 13 short documentaries between 2004-2012 focusing on gender issues around the world.