Steps Toward an Integration of Psychological and Visual Anthropology: Issues Raised in the Production of the Film SeriesAfflictions: Culture and Mental Illness in Indonesia

Abstract

Afflictions: Culture and Mental Illness in Indonesia, the first ethnographic documentary film series on mental illness in the developing world, examines the lives of people with neuropsychiatric disorders and mental illness on the islands of Bali and Java and considers the impact of personal experience, family, culture, and community on the course of their illness. This article reflects on issues that arose in production and explores the theoretical underpinnings of the films in order to highlight the rich potential of psychologically oriented ethnographic films and advocate for them as a genre. While ethnographic film provides an opportunity to explore the theories and methods of psychological anthropology, psychological anthropology's insights into the nature of subjectivity and emotion can help craft stirring and character-driven ethnographic films. Psychologically oriented ethnographic films can inject new life into data presentation, illuminate the interpenetration between culture and mental health, and illustrate contemporary anthropology's relevance to current global issues. The article concludes by suggesting future directions for both research and filmmaking.