Crooked Beauty

Crooked Beauty is a poetic documentary that chronicles artist-activist Jacks McNamara’s transformative journey from childhood abuse to psych ward inpatient to pioneering mental health advocacy. It is an intimate portrait of their intense personal quest to live with courage and dignity, and a powerful critique of standard psychiatric treatments. Poignant testimonials connect the fissures and fault lines of human nature to the unstable topography and mercurial weather patterns of the San Francisco Bay Area.

A black and white image depicting a vast field of tall grass or corn stalks in the foreground, with power lines or utility poles towering in the background.

Topics Covered

Medication Management, Mental Wellness, Stigma, Trauma

Content Heads Up

Representation

White, Woman / female, Adult

Film Style

Poetry Film

Filmmaker

Ken Rosenthal

Ken Paul Rosenthal is an independent filmmaker, photographer, and educator known for visually sensual, emotionally intelligent films that promote societal transformation. His award-winning project, Mad Dance: A Mental Health Film Trilogy, redefines how we approach mental health and wellness.

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