| Flight from Darkness is a co-production of Eleventh Hour Pictures and the National Film Board of Canada. This remarkable documentary follows the everyday life of Dene mathematician Percy Paul and his continuing challenge of living with bipolar disorder. Paul grew up in a small Dene community in northern Saskatchewan and started school when he was three. His academic achievements took him to Princeton where he worked on string theory, quantum field theory and black holes. In addition he excelled at sports and won his distance running events at the Indigenous Games. When he turned 28 Paul coped with his violent mood swings by turning to alcohol and the film follows him as he lives in a student residence. His efforts to complete his post graduate degree are hampered by his mania and times of severe depression. The filmmaker takes the viewer into Paul's world through interviews with colleagues, his former wife, coworkers, and members of his Dene community. Despite the seriousness of bipolar disorder the person, Percy Paul, is optimistic and matter-of-fact about his mental health and career. In fact the viewer can find humour and clarity about the disorder. One is left with a new understanding of this amazing man and his efforts to live a full life with such as challenging disorder. This 52-minute DVD is brilliantly directed and written by Trevor Grant. |
