Drunk On Too Much Life: Film Screening and Q&A

Join ISPS-US for a screening of documentary film "Drunk on Too Much Life" followed by an audience Q&A with the filmmaker Michelle Melles and husband Pedro Orrego.

Drunk on Too Much Life is an intimate and powerful documentary following the filmmaker's 21-year-old daughter’s mind-opening journey from locked-down psych wards and diagnostic labels towards expansive worlds of creativity, connection and greater meaning. Through conversations with advocates and experts by experience such as Sascha Altman DuBrul and the late Kevin Healey, as well as trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté, the family begins to question the widespread idea that mental illness should be understood in purely biological terms. They learn the myriad ways that madness has meaning that goes far beyond brain chemistry.

This event is by donation, please give if you can to allow us to compensate our presenters and support the work of ISPS-US

Event Schedule

• 4-5:30pm Eastern: Documentary screening - use the Zoom chat with the film-makers and other attendees while we watch together!
• 5:30-6:15pm Eastern: Filmmaker Q&A

Can't attend live? Don't worry! A link to the documentary will also be provided to registrants and available for 2-weeks after the event. The film maker Q&A will be also recorded and sent to all registrants.

Learn more:

• https://drunkontoomuchlife.com/
• https://www.newday.com/films/drunk-on-too-much-life (The film can also be purchased here for use within education settings or clinical practice)

About the Presenters

Michelle Melles

Michelle Melles, she/her, is a Canadian-American filmmaker, director, producer, and story editor based in Toronto. A passionate advocate for exploring the intersection of personal stories and societal issues, Michelle harnesses the transformative power of documentary storytelling to challenge norms and inspire change. With over 20 years of experience creating TV documentaries, docu-series, and streaming content, her work delves into complex social themes and redefines conventional narratives.

Under her production banner, Parallel Vision Pictures, Michelle creates independent documentaries that push boundaries, provoke thought, and offer fresh perspectives on the human experience. Her debut independent feature documentary film, Drunk on Too Much Life, exemplifies her dedication to impactful, socially conscious storytelling by seeking to change the narrative surrounding the treatment and perception of “psychosis”. The film was sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and was completed for Michelle’s Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Drunk on Too Much Life is distributed across North America by the social justice filmmaker co-operative New Day Films, is broadcast across Canada on TVO and The Knowledge Network, and will be broadcast across the U.S.A. on PBS beginning in May for Mental Health Awareness month. 

Pedro Orrego

Pedro Orrego, he/him, is a Canadian-Chilean filmmaker, producer, and story-editor based in Toronto. Pedro is an accomplished and award-winning story editor and producer who has worked for some of the most prominent production companies, networks, and shows in Canada and the U.S.A. including the Discovery Channel, HGTV, the History Channel, the Smithsonian Channel/Paramount + and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 

Under his production banner Parallel Vision Productions, both he and Michelle produce independent, multidimensional social issues documentaries that challenge preconceived ideas and offer unique ways of perceiving ourselves, each other, and the world. Drunk on Too Much Life which he co-produced and co-wrote, was his first feature independent documentary. Pedro is also a musician, creating original music for his projects – including composing music for Drunk on Too Much Life.