Are You Okay? A Review of the Short Film’s Impact on Mental Health

Are You Okay? A Review of the Short Film’s Impact on Mental Health

The award-winning short film “Are You Okay?” is a thought-provoking work of art that sheds light on the importance of discussing mental health and seeking help. Directed by award-winning Singaporean filmmaker, Wesley Leon Aroozoo, the film follows a character, Kai, as he grapples with his emotions and the stigma around mental health. In this article, we will review the film’s impact on mental health by analyzing the plot, the messages portrayed, the filmmaking style, and interviews with its creators. We will also discuss the current state of mental health stigma and the relevance of the film today.

Play-by-Play Recap

The short film “Are You Okay?” follows Kai, a young Singaporean man, as he navigates a difficult period in his life. Kai’s father has recently passed away, and he must contend with the grief and emotions that come along with it. Struggling with his mental health, Kai finds himself caught in a tug-of-war between his desire to express his feelings and the societal pressure to remain stoic and strong.

Throughout the film, Kai is consumed by his thoughts and emotions, which are often represented through abstract visualizations. The film showcases how the lack of communication with others about his inner world complicates things, ultimately leading to a crisis that lands him in the hospital. However, the film ends with a glimmer of hope as he makes a start indulging himself in new activities and taking care of his healing emotional wounds.

Impact on Mental Health

Short films such as “Are You Okay?” play an essential role in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and in bringing conversations about mental health to the forefront of our lives. According to a recent study by the Journal of Affective Disorders, watching films with mental health themes can have a significant impact on our attitudes towards mental illnesses. Moreover, the film has an emotionally resonating feeling that reinforces the fact that you’re not alone in whatever emotions you might be dealing with.

Short films like “Are You Okay?” are a powerful way to promote mental health awareness as it shows an audience, both globally and locally, that mental health struggles are common. It encourages the audience to communicate and seek help and fosters a greater sense of empathy among people.

Inspirational Messages

The short film “Are You Okay?” is thought-provoking, and it delivers several inspirational messages to keep in mind when dealing with mental health struggles. It is okay to feel or be vulnerable, and it is okay to ask for help. There is a lot of societal pressure and stigma surrounding mental health, which can make it challenging for individuals to acknowledge and seek help when they need it. Therefore, it is necessary to learn to communicate with our loved ones and know that seeking help is not weak.

The film encourages the audience to speak up and to seek help when struggling with mental health issues. Onscreen Kai remarks, “I don’t want to seem weak. Accepting help is not weakness. I just need someone to talk to.”

Film-making Style

The film employs various film-making techniques to bring its message and emotional impact to its audience. Throughout the film, the director uses abstract and impactful visualizations to portray Kai’s complex emotions accurately. The use of symbolism in the film is notable as it helps in characterizing Kai. The cinematography adds an extra layer, with its moody lightings and underexposed shots of the surrounding landscapes.

The editing and sound design have been meticulously executed to provide the viewers an immersive experience. Sound design has played a crucial role in the film. Along with the usage of background soundscapes, the film uses the sound design to symbolize Kai’s profound feelings of isolation and impending doom. In addition, the camera’s ability to establish space allows the filmmakers to manipulate the setting to create an emotional connection.

Interviews with Creators

An interview with the creators of the short film “Are You Okay?” reveals insights into their thought process behind the film’s message. During the interview, Aroozoo said that the film focuses on personal healing and how communicating their emotions to others is an important part of self-healing. He also noted that Film-making can be cathartic for a lot of filmmakers, and the objective of the film was to give audiences hope.

The film’s producer, Juan Foo, added that the film’s ultimate message is that seeking help is a sign of strength. He mentioned that the film’s creative team worked closely with psychologists to ensure that the final product is emotionally respectful and educates viewers on the importance of seeking help.

The Relevance Today

The “Are You Okay?” short film is still relevant today as we face an increase in mental health issues. As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath, people’s lives have been significantly impacted, triggering a rise in mental health disorders. The stigma surrounding mental health continues to be a significant barrier to care, and it is vital to continue to have productive conversations around mental health.

Moreover, this film raises awareness of mental health struggles that are prevalent across the globe, possessing great value towards normalizing mental health conversations and nurturing a greater sense of empathy towards individuals struggling with their mental wellbeing. The film highlights the fact that we all have a role to play in advocating for better mental health outcomes and creating a more inclusive and supportive society.

Conclusion

The short film “Are You Okay?” is a poignant reminder of the importance of discussing mental health and reducing the stigma that surrounds it. By skillfully employing various film-making techniques to enhance its viewers’ emotional investment, this short film has a powerful impact on the audience, encouraging them to seek and offer help when facing similar mental health issues.

The filmmakers have done a remarkable job of delivering essential messages to normalize and promote mental health awareness through Kai’s story, which can aid in fostering critical conversations about mental health. We need to encourage ourselves and others to seek help when we need it, and we need to continue to have open discussions about mental health if we’re going to end the stigma surrounding it.