The Wright Times

Issue date: 12/1/09 Section: Arts & Culture

"One Simple Life," a short film written by former Wright College student Brian Soszynski, provides insight into the mind of paranoid schizophrenics. Although the film is intended for people with paranoid schizophrenia or for people who know someone with the disease, it also holds special interest for psychology students. At the November premier, the film received great reviews from the audience.
The film revolves around Mark (Soszynski), a 23-year-old paranoid schizophrenic living in the city with his sister. The audience experiences a regular day in Mark's life as he attempts to live a "normal" life. Mark's disease flipped his life upside down, giving him two totally different lives, as if he had been "born twice." This refers to the fact that, prior to the emergence of his disease around the age of twenty, Mark had led a relatively normal life.
The film made a strong impact in recreating the feeling of desperation in Mark brought on by the attacks caused by the disease. The audience can literally feel Mark's despair as he hears voices trying to make him hurt himself. Due to the unstable nature of his disease, Mark must periodically meet with his psychiatrist who attempts to aide him in his quest of making sense out of a world that is in constant flux.
Towards the end of the film, Mark begins to dream of a mysterious woman, leaving the audience to wonder who she is. The mysterious woman's identity is revealed at the end: she held a close relationship with Mark, but as his condition had worsened, he pushed her further and further away. As he finally remembers their relationship, he longs to have her love back in his life. This leads the viewer to wonder, was she even real? Did that relationship really occur? Or was the relationship a figment of his imagination? "We left this part up to the audience," Director and Producer Kamelya Alexan said, "The audience can interpret it to how they feel the movie should be."
What made the film particularly strong was the producer's and the actors' ability to capture so much emotion. With a budget of $3,000, they were able to create a film that captured the essence of paranoid schizophrenia. A second screening will be held at Skokie Theatre, located at 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. in Skokie, IL on Feb. 28, 2010. Anyone interested in learning more about paranoid schizophrenia should consider attending the screening. "I thought it was a good portrayal and I think it would be an amazing learning tool," registered nurse Chris Gwizdak said. Tickets are $10 per person. Students or faculty interested in learning more about this film or buying tickets can do so at www.onesimplelifemovie.com.

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