Brothers at the heart of the mental health battle

London agency Havas, STUDIOCANAL UK and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) have teamed up on a campaign to raise awareness around the delicate issue of mental health within families.

At the campaign's heart is the short film Brothers, directed by Huse Monfaradi. The 15-minute short - part improvised, part scripted and shot in one day over the summer - was written and directed by Monfaradi and represents his first foray into the medium. It is a story of friendship, betrayal and the fragility of mental health, and stars up-and-coming actors Jay Lycurgo and Michael Workeye, who featured in I May Destroy You and Sitting in Limbo respectively. The short is inspired by the real-life experiences of Workeye and his relationship with his older brother and his mental health issues. The film also features an original score by acclaimed British singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt. 

Brothers is a raw and honest portrayal that tackles the complex relationships between family that is often unexplored.

Brothers premiered online this weekend following a Q&A with the Monfaradi and the cast, hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, which is also available to view below. A series of screenings in youth centres is also planned for early next year following a successful pilot in October. The campaign, which will also be promoted through an influencer campaign comprising well-known figures from the film and television industries, also includes an accompanying online guide, created by CALM, on addressing mental health issues within families. 

“This a special and powerful little film," said Mark Whelan, Chief Creative Officer at Havas UK. "The collaboration between the filmmaker, CALM, Havas and Vivendi meant that we could attempt to bring this sensitive and complicated subject matter more into the open.”

“Brothers is a raw and honest portrayal that tackles the complex relationships between family that is often unexplored," added Simon Gunning, CEO of CALM. "Talking to family about our mental health can be really difficult. It can be daunting to start a conversation about it, and even tougher to help them understand. But we also know that 68% of people with severe mental illness disclosed to at least one family member or mate can make a huge difference. Starting the conversation has loads of potential benefits. And when you’re going through a hard time, this extra support can prevent you from reaching crisis point.”