Cracked - Documentary Short Official Trailer

Coming 11/11/24 here on YouTube!!! SUBSCRIBE to my channel so you don't miss it!!!

A daughter's raw and vulnerable journey of finding love and acceptance through the trauma of her father's schizophrenia.

SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel to see the launch later in 2024 and learn even more details about my journey such as:
- How I began to heal
- Some of the biggest fears I had to overcome
- The gifts I received from all of the grit
- What it was like reconnecting with my father after 25 years, how foreign it was visiting my father in a mental hospital, why I felt like I was betraying my family, or how lonely it was trying to navigate it all
- Why I did this film now
- And more...

CONNECT with me, Jessica Zemple, at www.lifeshucker.com and join my Pearls of Wisdom newsletter.

DIRECTOR: Naomi McDougall Jones
EDITOR AND ANIMATOR: Kiwi Callahan
SOUND: Nico Osborne
PRODUCER: Jessica Zemple

DIRECTOR STATEMENT from Naomi McDougall Jones
Jessica's story with her father is a profound testament to the human capacity for compassion and love, even in the face of unimaginable trauma. What initially captivated me about her narrative was the remarkable level of grace and acceptance she has built in her adult relationship with him, despite enduring unspeakable harm at his hands during her childhood, and even while still carrying the anger, pain, and damage of those wounds.

In contemporary society, mental illness often carries a heavy stigma, leading to its demonization and misunderstanding. We find ourselves oscillating between extremes—on one hand, there's a tendency to vilify those suffering from mental health disorders, and on the other, there's a temptation to absolve them entirely of responsibility for their actions.

With Cracked, we aim to challenge both of these prevailing attitudes. We intend to say that mental illness has the potential to wreak havoc in the lives of those around the afflicted individual, leaving wounds that need to be healed, AND that, through deep compassion and a shift in perspective, it is possible to arrive at a place of mutual redemption.

Jessica's story serves as a poignant reminder that, while mental illness can be incredibly destructive, it is not insurmountable. Through love, compassion, and understanding, meaningful relationships can be forged and reconciliation becomes achievable.

By sharing Jessica's journey, our intention is to foster empathy and encourage a more nuanced understanding of mental health. Rather than simply condemning or excusing individuals for their actions, we should strive to recognize the complexities of their circumstances and the profound impact of mental illness on their lives and the lives of those around them.

Ultimately, I hope that our film inspires viewers to reconsider their perceptions of mental illness - including, most importantly, those suffering from mental illness in their own lives - and recognize the inherent humanity and resilience of those affected by it. Through empathy and compassion, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society where healing and reconciliation are possible, even in the face of profound adversity.