Scenes from a tribute screening

Psychiatrist Dr. Avery Krisman introduces BAY ST. HEALER (above), Addi and myself chopping it up at the Q&A afterwards (below). Special thanks + shout outs to all in attendance, both films contain a lot to process and think about.

Memorial Screenings

Decided it was time to do another live in-person screening for the film. 11-years ago, me and Conspiracy released the documentary on his life as an underground hip hop phenom. Now after his departure this past July, it seemed fitting to revisit a part of his story. I'll be showing my latest documentary "Bay St. Healer" as well, 26 November at U of T, Innis College.

Screening in Coventry UK

History of Madness (DST500) Screenings

For the last couple of years on the last day of classes, the instructors of Ryerson's "History of Madness" course screen the film to the students. It's used as an instructional tool to sum up the big themes in the course. I always have a lot of fun answering questions and discussing the film, plus it's kind've cool to have your indie doc. film used as a final exam question.

Reviews bound N printed

Way back in May we had the good fortune to have the film reviewed by Roy Sexton, an indie writer out of Michigan. He has recently published a second volume of his reviews and our little doc. made the cut. Info on the book is available here.

@BrandoBalazs sure did! Fabulous film! Hope it helps other people discover it

— Roy Sexton (@roysexton) January 15, 2015

Censured in Canada Film Festival

Pretty excited to be part of a new festival taking place next month (January) in Toronto. The Censured in Canada Film Festival was started by Stephen Chen because he found a "disconnect between the openness / diversity / multiculturalism that Canada promises and the lack in its cultural forms and institutions rather galling." Tired of the duplicity, Chen "had to do something about it." Amen brother. More info here, Mars Project will be playing on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Cinecycle at 401 Richmond.

On sale at the MIA store

Copies of the film (and DVD special features) now available on the Mad in America online store!

2 Continents, 2 Countries

Had the opportunity to show the film at the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival in Edinburgh, Inverness and Glasgow as well as in Boston (well Arlington, Massachusetts) at the 1st ever Mad in America Film Festival. T'was a whirlwind voyage, but totally worth it!

Cool to experience the Toronto - Edinburgh connection in the Mad Studies community. Thanks is due to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and the SMHAFF for providing funding, making the trip possible in the first place.

Fun, challenging, intriguing Q&A and panel discussion at all the screenings, these shots from the session in Edinburgh.

 An intimate screening, Q&A and panel discussion in Inverness.

Nice little mention in one of the indie papers in Scotland, also got some shout-outs here and here and here.

Jonathan Balazs & Danielle Landry at @grosvenorcinema after screening the Mars Project. #smhaff2014 pic.twitter.com/vjq7hZyr9d
— SMHAFF Festival (@SMHAFF) October 8, 2014

The only record of our screening in Glasgow, director and associate producer holding it down.

Then a jet back to North America for the MIA Film Festival, met some cool people, forged some excellent connections. American audiences love their movies and laughed, gasped or otherwise reacted at all the right moments.

All access baby!

Director guest blog post for Mad in America Film Fest.

Got a chance to do a little blog-post, promoting the film Oct. 11 at the Mad in America Film Festival, you can read the whole thing here.

It never felt right, questioning depression, schizophrenia or addiction, but I got a kick out of abnormal psychology, and the discovery of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (D.S.M.) with all it’s explanations for disorders I never knew existed. I took for granted that Mad Peoples’ stories were steeped in delusion, because crazy people talking was just crazy-talk and doctors had the answers.

At SMHAFF October 2014

Excited to be a part of the festival again this year, but in 3 cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh & Inverness!