"Today I saw a film that instantly changed my life. It is really hard to put in to words how important this film is, so much so that my friend and I were still deep diving into it's layers several hours later and audibly asking "how did they just do that?!" If there has ever been a film that allows it's audience to enter in to the personal thoughts and emotional struggle of people struggling with very real mental health situations, it is this one. In my opinion this film should be screened in every high school as curriculum. It is raw, bold and brutally honest at the same time as being shot and edited beautifully, with the message of love, patience and acceptance as it's backbone. .
it was clear that everyone on the set of this film had one goal: to de stigmatize and open up conversations surrounding mental health and give straight and clear answers to those who walk with them on that journey. Second to how amazing this film was, the whole crew are from WA and the film was shot in Perth. Congratulations to Martin Wilson Director, Nicole Ferraro and everyone involved in this creation.
8 Reviews
Moving. Powerful. Important. Pieces haunts long after viewing
rfnzyzvcf31 October 2022
If you want to feel proud to be a West Australian who has the joy and privilege of living amongst incredible talent WATCH. THIS. FILM.
To officially open Mental Health Week, Pieces is a gut wrenchingly beautiful, inspired film written, filmed, directed and produced in Perth. It's our city like you've never seen it before and the stories of the characters will haunt. I cried (a lot), I laughed, I pondered, I reflected and thought deeply about how we view mental health and carers who devote so much to struggling loved ones.
Grab your gang and see this magnificent film whilst it's in Perth. It will be on the world stage before we know it - you want to see it first.
To officially open Mental Health Week, Pieces is a gut wrenchingly beautiful, inspired film written, filmed, directed and produced in Perth. It's our city like you've never seen it before and the stories of the characters will haunt. I cried (a lot), I laughed, I pondered, I reflected and thought deeply about how we view mental health and carers who devote so much to struggling loved ones.
Grab your gang and see this magnificent film whilst it's in Perth. It will be on the world stage before we know it - you want to see it first.
I have now watched this extraordinary movie several times
sherpro-1333913 March 2024
From the beginning I have been drawn back to this excellent movie on a number of occasions and am very glad that it is so easily accessible on BINGE.
Five times in fact, to a point where I feel I "know" the characters. Not the actors, they have disappeared into the fabric of the piece, but the complexity of the characters.
I would like to see a wide distribution as this movie addresses a range of mental health issues and although it doesn't claim to "cure" anything, it acknowledges that issues do exist and that maybe the person next door or in the shop or wherever, may well benefit from YOUR unprying understanding.
Each time I watch I feel a greater understanding and I thank every person connected with this production.
THAN YOU!
Five times in fact, to a point where I feel I "know" the characters. Not the actors, they have disappeared into the fabric of the piece, but the complexity of the characters.
I would like to see a wide distribution as this movie addresses a range of mental health issues and although it doesn't claim to "cure" anything, it acknowledges that issues do exist and that maybe the person next door or in the shop or wherever, may well benefit from YOUR unprying understanding.
Each time I watch I feel a greater understanding and I thank every person connected with this production.
THAN YOU!
I was blown away by just how moving and brilliantly executed Pieces was.
vaughan-5021431 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
PIECES REVIEW
I'm flabbergasted that anyone could give this moving, masterpiece of a film a 1 (too much salt and butter on their popcorn I suspect). I was blown away by just how moving and brilliantly executed Pieces was, a truly outstanding achievement by the director and his team. Even more remarkable considering the ludicrously small budget and impossibly short shooting schedule I believe he was confronted with. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the film - with mental illness as its premise it could easily have been overwhelmingly confronting. However, I was taken by surprise by an absorbing and captivating story - relentless from start to finish - and quite an assault on the senses, that frequently found me on the edge of my seat. Yet in doing so, the film didn't deviate from its mission to capture and reflect on all of the characters' states of mind and shine a light on their inner, troubled worlds. In fact, I think it's the first time I've really gained such a raw, revealing and convincing insight. I had empathy and understanding, a feeling like "hey, in another life, this could easily have been me?" Quite an achievement to create such an deep-emotional impact - one I suspect, deep down, was Martin Wilson's objective. If so, "it's a 10 from me"!
I now see Pieces has been nominated for two AACTA awards, one for Best Indie Film and a second for Best Costume Design (with the Alexander McQueen-inspired outfits looking so amazing). Richly deserved. It's a complex and trilling interplay of characters. A story brilliantly interpreted and communicated with astute, sensitive direction and raw performances that challenge the audience to question: "are they actors playing a role or real people?" Like other multiple characters films I've seen that are connected by interlocking stories brought together by fate (such as Crash and Magnolia) Pieces is compelling and emotionally riveting. To walk in the shoes of someone with lived mental health challenges for just 90 minutes, was for me life-changing.
Quite simply, it's a titanic and outstanding achievement. And as a bonus, I don't think Perth has ever looked so damn good. So contemporary and gloriously urbane. Like it had dropped its Hicksville persona and pulled on its big city pants. I know that was not the point of the picture but I think it's done a well-needed job of that, without detracting one iota from the picture's intent. And it made me proud. (By the way, I've got the same feedback from friends over east who've seen the film, so it's doing a top secondary job for Tourism).
My money is on a triumph at the AACTAs. Well bloody done Martin. Hat's off to Perth.
VAUGHAN SUTHERLAND.
I'm flabbergasted that anyone could give this moving, masterpiece of a film a 1 (too much salt and butter on their popcorn I suspect). I was blown away by just how moving and brilliantly executed Pieces was, a truly outstanding achievement by the director and his team. Even more remarkable considering the ludicrously small budget and impossibly short shooting schedule I believe he was confronted with. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the film - with mental illness as its premise it could easily have been overwhelmingly confronting. However, I was taken by surprise by an absorbing and captivating story - relentless from start to finish - and quite an assault on the senses, that frequently found me on the edge of my seat. Yet in doing so, the film didn't deviate from its mission to capture and reflect on all of the characters' states of mind and shine a light on their inner, troubled worlds. In fact, I think it's the first time I've really gained such a raw, revealing and convincing insight. I had empathy and understanding, a feeling like "hey, in another life, this could easily have been me?" Quite an achievement to create such an deep-emotional impact - one I suspect, deep down, was Martin Wilson's objective. If so, "it's a 10 from me"!
I now see Pieces has been nominated for two AACTA awards, one for Best Indie Film and a second for Best Costume Design (with the Alexander McQueen-inspired outfits looking so amazing). Richly deserved. It's a complex and trilling interplay of characters. A story brilliantly interpreted and communicated with astute, sensitive direction and raw performances that challenge the audience to question: "are they actors playing a role or real people?" Like other multiple characters films I've seen that are connected by interlocking stories brought together by fate (such as Crash and Magnolia) Pieces is compelling and emotionally riveting. To walk in the shoes of someone with lived mental health challenges for just 90 minutes, was for me life-changing.
Quite simply, it's a titanic and outstanding achievement. And as a bonus, I don't think Perth has ever looked so damn good. So contemporary and gloriously urbane. Like it had dropped its Hicksville persona and pulled on its big city pants. I know that was not the point of the picture but I think it's done a well-needed job of that, without detracting one iota from the picture's intent. And it made me proud. (By the way, I've got the same feedback from friends over east who've seen the film, so it's doing a top secondary job for Tourism).
My money is on a triumph at the AACTAs. Well bloody done Martin. Hat's off to Perth.
VAUGHAN SUTHERLAND.
Powerful, Gut Wrenching, Must See Movie
zyron-689556 November 2022
From the very first scene this movie grabs you - and you know it's going to be a no holds barred view of mental illness. And it delivers!!
The first half of this movie is really gut wrenching. The scripting and acting is so real you wonder whether you are watching a documentary or an acted storyline.
Pieces covers a range of mental illnesses, brilliantly portrayed by the ensemble cast.
But the arc of the movie moves to some kind of resolution so there is hope for those living with mental illness. There is resolution and solutions that can work.
For anyone living with mental illness, or for those who care for people with mental illness this is a movie that must be seen.
The first half of this movie is really gut wrenching. The scripting and acting is so real you wonder whether you are watching a documentary or an acted storyline.
Pieces covers a range of mental illnesses, brilliantly portrayed by the ensemble cast.
But the arc of the movie moves to some kind of resolution so there is hope for those living with mental illness. There is resolution and solutions that can work.
For anyone living with mental illness, or for those who care for people with mental illness this is a movie that must be seen.
Gritty, Emotional, informative and relatable
qkwtygm1 November 2022
As a person who has supported family members who have mental illness this film hit me in the heart. There were so many dynamic elements...the reality of the characters and their individual journeys, the message of hope and community. The art work was so creative, with the costumes lifting the film to a whole new level. How do you cram so much value for the viewer into an hour and a half? This film is unique and very special. It may not appeal to everyone stylistically, but there is a message in it for all. I have seen it several times and each time it has impacted me tin different eays. Kudos to the makers.
A must watch
ddonald-832282 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A powerful film that gives as good an insight into mental health as any film I've seen. The documentary style format allowed the film maker to ask the tough questions and get honest answers. I felt it gave me a better understanding of the challenges those suffering go through. But this film isn't just informative, it's also entertaining. The performances were remarkable from the entire cast. There was humour throughout the film, which given the subject matter couldn't have been easy. The costume design at times was incredible and the City of Perth looked amazing. I would recommend this film to anyone wanting an insight into mental health, while watching a genuinely entertaining film.
Confronting, Powerful and a must see!!
patrickhardwick-414671 November 2022
My wife and I were wondering in the first few minutes, what was coming up. We stayed and were enthralled by the movie, even though we found some parts of it confronting for us. As long term mental health carers and with both of us having had rather extreme mental health conditions at times, we could see in the characters, ourselves and the types of behaviour we could relate too. However, for the 94 minutes, we could not take our eyes off the screen. This film is something unlike anything else we have seen. The actors were amazing and. The movie keeps you think about it for some time after. Will see again.
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