A film worth watching

"I was sort of at wit's end with all the trials and tribulations," said Smiley, 38. "I wanted to just channel my frustrations."

Susan Smiley’s very personal documentary "Out of the Shadow" chronicles the filmmaker’s mother, Millie, and her family through Millie’s battle with schizophrenia and her subsequent trials within the system.

Millie was just 25 with two small children when she was first plagued by the symptoms of schizophrenia. As mental chaos overwhelmed their mother, Susan and her sister Tina struggled to cope with her.

For years, the family’s ignorance and shame kept Millie’s behavior shrouded in a veil of secrecy. Now, after 20 years of transience and inadequate care, Millie finally has a chance to reclaim her life.

“Out of the Shadow” has been playing to wide acclaim at festivals worldwide and is scheduled to air on PBS stations beginning February 2006. Find out about educational guides and get purchasing information online at www.outoftheshadow.com or via phone at 310 636 0116.