Art Therapy: The Movie

Art Therapy: The Movie is a beautifully crafted documentary which gives a raw look into the growing field. The film is educational and inspiring as it highlights the wonderful, transformative power of art. Example and application of art therapy is shown through a diverse populations and settings around the world - the film gives an intimate look into art-making and how it can be used as a means of human expression (in the film we witness techniques being used in places such as schools, substance abuse centers, and a cancer center). The film also gives insight behind the scenes of an art therapist, challenges faced, and what it takes to become one. Overall, the film wonderfully captures the spirit and unique qualities of art therapy and how the creative process can be used as a diverse therapeutic technique.

ART THERAPY: THE MOVIE is a joyous cinematic exploration of art's capacity to heal and transform lives. As someone who frequently watch and enjoys documentaries, I appreciated the beautiful cinematography and editing in the film. The movie is set across many geographic settings around the world and ART THERAPY captured the beauty and often bleakness of these areas. More impressive, is the film's ability to tell the intimate stories of both the patient and therapists without being too invasive and exploitative. The story of the cancer patients was especially moving and personal. The therapists provided the audience an idea of the passion and dedication (blood, sweat, and tears) needed to be a part of this field. It restores my faith in humanity! My gauge of a good documentary is how much I can learn without feeling like I'm being lectured. In other word, I want to enjoy learning while being entertained. ha! This film did that and more. I still find myself thinking about parts of the film well after watching it.

What a wonderful undertaking! Alfonso Bui has done the almost impossible - he has crafted a beautiful landscape of varied and diverse art therapy work from around the world. The film weaves together touching and beautiful footage of different groups of clients working with art therapy interns and art therapists for arts- based recovery work, educational development initiatives ,and psychotherapeutic expression. The art therapists are extremely articulate and discuss process, training, and clinical experiences extremely well. This film serves as an excellent sensitive portrait of what art therapy is as a distinct therapeutic profession which serves communities, groups and individuals. The viewer gains insight into the little understood but deeply engaging and growing field of art therapy. A must for all art therapy students and those curious about the profession. This film also would serve well as a resource for educators, funders, social service and mental health agencies - explaining what it is art therapists do and showing how those engaged in art therapy benefit.... Well done!

As an art therapist I am encouraged and fascinated by seeing how art therapy is used around the world, and by the fact that the word is getting out! (Last night there was a news item on art therapy used in a long term care facility.) I never tire of seeing the power of art therapy - for any age, space, place or situation. Art therapy is a powerful, no barrier way of accessing our selves, and helping to connect us to our current situations in a way we can manage. A piece of paper and a pencil could be all that is needed - even sticks and sand on a beach could be used with safe support. Thank you for creating this documentary. Maybe,one day soon, I won't need to answer the question "What is art therapy?"

Art Therapy: The Movie was an engaging and masterful production. From the first moment of the movie until the end I felt engaged as if I were there having those experiences with the people on screen. The documentary gave an accurate depiction of art therapy from an art therapists view, as well as from a client's view. As a graduate art therapy student in America, it was especially empowering to get a glimpse into how art therapy is practiced in other parts of the world. I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in studying art therapy, or anyone who many be interested in seeking art therapy for themselves, friends, or family.