Educational Media Reviews Online

This film explores both the human condition and human interaction in a mental health institution in China. People living on a specific floor of this institution are isolated from the rest of the population, and from humanity more generally. They are placed here for a variety of reasons: mental health, murder, or having conflict with local authorities. ‘Til Madness seeks to demonstrate how individuals and groups of people cope with isolation and captivity, especially in terms of the existing overcrowded conditions at this institution. For some, the madness increases despite the medications administered, for others it is a way to seek solace. The film is a good study on the impact of overcrowding on the ability of people to connect and empathize, and develop bonds with others. It is a long film, at 228 minutes (just under 4-hours), and has nudity in various places. It is a good resource for mental health workers, criminal justice administrators, sociologists, and anthropologists and a worthwhile addition to libraries supporting collections in anthropology, criminal justice, psychology, social work, and sociology.