In Love with Craziness / Forelska i Galskap
A young man’s struggle with ADHD; his portal to drug use, experiences a metamorphic coming of age through the creative energy of rap music.
“Why do I judge myself, when the whole world is already doing it?” was the line in ‘#Speil’ (‘Mirror’), a song performed by norwegian rap artist Michael Kildal, which went straight to the heart of child psychiatrist Melanie Ekholdt. Fascinated by his artistic expression and energy, she invited him to a series of candid video-documented conversations between the two. The short documenatry film ‘In Love with Craziness’ is based on these conversations, incorporating Kildal’s music videos and personal photo albums.
-
Melanie EkholdtDirector
-
Karina AstrupProducer6ft Hick: notes from the underground - 2010 (Producer), Despite the Gods - 2012 (Producer), Morgana - 2019 (Producer)
-
Michael KildalKey Cast
-
Melanie EkholdtKey Cast
-
Project Title (Original Language):Forelska i Galskap
-
Project Type:Documentary
-
Genres:Documentary, coming of age, bio
-
Runtime:20 minutes
-
Completion Date:September 30, 2020
-
Production Budget:15,000 AUD
-
Country of Origin:Norway
-
Country of Filming:Norway
-
Language:Norwegian
-
Shooting Format:HDV
-
Aspect Ratio:16:9
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
-
Student Project:No
-
Mental FilmnessChicago
United States
October 10, 2020
North American
WINNER - Stigma Breaker Award -
Independent Shorts AwardsLos Angeles
United States
March 18, 2021
Finalist -
Hip Hop Cine FestRome
Italy
June 7, 2021
Italian -
Courage Film FestivalBerlin
Germany
September 24, 2021
German -
Brighton Rocks Film FestivalBrighton
United Kingdom
July 24, 2021
UK -
REEL Recovery Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
November 5, 2021
Californian -
Impact DOCS AwardsLa Jolla
United States
July 27, 2021
WINNER - Award of Recognition - Contemporary issues and awareness raising -
AmaliedageneOslo
Norway
August 21, 2021
Norwegian
Official Selection -
Västerås Film FestivalVästerås
Sweden
October 23, 2021
Swedish
Official Selection -
REEL Recovery Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
November 5, 2021
Californian
Official Selection -
Overcome Film Festival
United States
October 23, 2021
WINNER - Best Documentary Story in a Short Film -
SchizofrenidageneStavanger
Norway
November 1, 2021
Official Selection -
TAKT Film FestivalNovi Sad
Serbia
September 23, 2021
Serbian
THIRD PLACE WINNER - Best Short Music Documentary -
COMMFFEST Global Community Film FestivalToronto
Canada
October 24, 2021
Candian
Official Selection
Distribution Information
-
House of Gary Pty LtdCountry: WorldwideRights: All Rights
Melanie Ekholdt is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, with a strong interest in using film and art for emotionally engaged participation and professional discourse. After producing some successful youtube clips and interviews, she was excited by the possibilities that opened up to her through the use of multi-media and digital storytelling in teaching and sharing with parents and peers.
'In Love with Craziness' will be her first documentary production in collaboration with House of Gary. Through this short documentary, which will accompany a book she is currently co-writing with the films subject Michael Kildal, she is wanting to contribute to a global conversation around how society can better understand the different expressions of boys and young men, and how the arts can be a powerful therapeutic tool.
www.melanieekholdt.no
As a child and adolescent psychiatrist I was instantly intrigued by Michaels insightful lyrics and powerful performance when I first saw him on the TV show ‘Norway`s got Talent’. I was very interested in learning more about how his problems growing up with ADHD had formed him and influenced his music. One particular line in his lyrics stood out to me: “Why do I judge myself, when everybody else is already doing it?” Through his lyrics and music, Michael gives us a personal insight into his subjective world, helping us to recognize the value of learning about other young people`s stories and narratives.
In the beginning my journey was more of the classical doctor/young patient relationship. But during the course of our conversations, which I had recorded for the purpose of writing a book about young boys in our modern society, I began to question my own medical practice around how I issue pharmaceutical prescriptions to young people. While listening to his stories I felt like my professional identity was collapsing, as everything I’d felt sure of was being challenged. The relationship gradually evolved to become more symmetrical, where there was no longer a hierarchical divide between patient and doctor, young man and middle-aged woman. We all have both masculine and feminine aspects as we are all made up of different parts; we can be young, adult and a child, constantly interchanging, sometimes at a very fast pace. By accepting our own vulnerabilities, it may lead us to better understand young people’s points of view and more clearly see their talents and possibilities they each hold within.
Looking back at what I’d recorded, I recognized that Michael is a powerful storyteller and a very good co-teacher. I engaged documentary producer Karina Astrup to support and guide me in the process of creating a short film using the footage, as I’m not traditionally a film director. We were fortunate to have full access to all of Michael’s music, music videos and childhood photos in order to give rich illustration to his journey. We agreed to use a young male editor, Sahil Singh, who was in his late teens, in an effort to keep the point of view from a young person’s perspective. It was very much a group collaboration to bring this story to life.