praise for out of the shadow

"A fascinating and important film,
especially for those who are
personally affected by mental
illness."
Mike Wallace
CBS News

"Out of the Shadow is an honest and rare glimpse into the human experience of mental illness and the challenges families face when trying to care for there loved ones. Not only is it brilliantly made, but it is also an extremely effective tool for educating viewers about mental illness."
Patrick J. Kennedy
Member of U.S. Congress

"Your film is an extraordinary journey. So brave and full of intelligent insight. I am filled with admiratioin. You have made a beautiful and important film. you have also walked the confusing and painful line of a 'personal' film with style and grace, wit and compassion. I am blown away and deeply moved. BRAVO!"
Cynthia McFadden
ABC News

"Out of the Shadow movingly captures a side of schizophrenia that few of us ever see, revealing the humility behind the disease without sentimentalizing it, and documenting the day-to-day injustices, tragedies and just plain frustrations experienced both by a woman who has schizophrenia and by those who love her."
Sharon Begley
The Wall Street Journal

"I would like to express the gratitude of the entire department for your work. I have worked with people who have severe psychiatric illnesses and their families for my entire career. I was moved to tears several times by the film: an honest, personal look at the tragedy of the illness of schizophrenia and our failure as a society to enact our ideals and utilize the knowledge we already possess. Every employee of this department will see this film. I can think of no better way to introduce them to the meaning and importance of their work."
George A. Keepers, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry,
Oregon Health & Science University

"I showed your documentary to our mental health agency, and people loved it. It's emotionally powerful and well balanced on many perspectives. It's a realistic view of the pitfalls of the "system," the lengths families must go to, the ravages of illness and the prospects of recovery. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you even more for making it."
Michael F. Hogan, Ph.D.
Director, Ohio Department of Mental Health
Chair, Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health

"This is a remarkable film about schizophrenia, portraying one woman and her family's experience with the illness. It is emotionally powerful, showing that recovery is possible, while at the same time exposing flaws in our mental healthcare system. Susan Smiley has produced a memorable, masterful work."
Mike Fitzpatrick
Executive Director, NAMI

"This is the best film on schizophrenia that I have ever seen. The power of the film to show the experience, the struggle, and the points of view of the person with a severe psychiatric disorder and of the family members is unsurpassed."
John S. Strauss, M.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry
Yale University School of Medicine

"Ms. Smiley is unstinting in her honesty as she presents this very difficult and personal subject and that is what gives the film its forceful impact. Deserving of the widest possible audience, Out of the Shadow informs the public and engage viewers about the challenges of coping with a mentally ill loved one. In addition, it's a wonderful training tool for all those in the mental health field, from students to practitioners."
Peter Welden, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center

"This is a powerful and moving film that inspires whether or not you know anything about mental illness. I laughed, cried and was spellbound. Through the story of her mother's flight with schizophrenia and her family's struggle to not only survive, but to love. Susan Smiley brings new meaning to the word hope. Out of the Shadow is ultimately a story about a family that was torn apart by schizophrenia and unexpectedly healed by the making of this film."
Xavier Amador, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University
Author of "I am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!"