February 16: "When Art Heals" at 3 pm; "Nise" at 4 pm

ECU’s 8th Annual Foreign Film Festival concludes on Friday, February 16th with a screening of Nise: The Heart of Madness, which will be preceded by “When Art Heals”: an expert panel discussion and Q&A about the power of art to heal and to educate. “When Art Heals” will begin at 3 p.m. and the film screening will begin at 4 p.m. Both events will be held in the Raymond J. Estep Multimedia Center of the Bill S. Cole University Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

A Portuguese-language film based on a true story, Nise dramatizes the experiences of a Brazilian psychiatrist in the 1950s who rejects electroshock therapy to treat schizophrenia and encourages her patients to create art. Described as “mesmerizing” by the New York Times, Nise won the Audience award for best fiction feature at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival. Nise contains some scenes of sexuality/nudity. It has not received a rating from the Motion Picture Association of America but is for mature audiences.

The “When Art Heals” discussion panel will feature: Dr. Marc Klippenstine, chair of ECU’s Department of Psychology; Dr. Regina Robertson, chair of ECU’s Department of Human Resources and Counseling; Sharon Cunningham, director of ECU’s Special Education program; and Sherri Chandler, an ECU alumnus and licensed professional counselor who will discuss her experiences using art therapy in her counseling practice.

After the screening, lucky audience members will be given door prizes generously donated by local businesses including Cinemark Ada, Delicias Mexican Restaurant, Hampton Inn Ada, Hot Shots Coffee House, Mojo’s Coffee Bar and Cafe, and Scraptopia. Additional door prizes include books on art therapy, a book on women who impacted science, a DVD collection of films about painters whose art helped them cope with physical and mental health challenges, and a gift certificate for lunch for two at Texas de Brazil churrasaceria-steakhouse in Oklahoma City.

ECU’s Foreign Film Festival is managed by ECU SCREENS, whose mission is to “bring memorable cinematic experiences to ECU, Ada, and the surrounding communities.” The Foreign Film Festival, in particular, aspires to awaken and encourage curiosity about global cultures and languages.

ECU SCREENS is supported by the ECU Foundation, the Cultural Activities Committee, and the Department of English and Languages, and it relies on work provided by student volunteers from Sigma Tau Delta (ECU’s English Honors Society) and ECU’s Honors Student Association.

To learn more about ECU SCREENS and the spring schedule, like the ECU SCREENS Facebook page. Dr. Rebecca Nicholson-Weir, co-director of ECU SCREENS, may be contacted at (580) 559-5929 or rnichlsn@ecok.edu.