Black and Shiny Things is about an individual’s struggle with schizophrenia and its effects on a family, challenging the bond between two brothers.
After Joseph has a mental breakdown in a suicidal attempt to reach out for help, his Mom, goes in search for a solution to help her son. Sometimes the question we ask ourselves are complicated but the answers are simple. This film is about mental illness and how a family comes together to overcome their obstacle with understanding, hope and love.
YOUNG MAN
Hey Mom
CUT TO: Camera zooming in on a room
YOUNG MAN
Hey Mom. I’m scared. I don’t want to be here. Why did you send me here? I don’t want to be here. I want to go home. I won’t do it again, I swear, I won’t do it. I just want to go home. I want to go home. I’m sorry.
CUT TO: Doctor’s office.
MOTHER
Brennan.?
DOCTOR
Alright, we’ve looked at Joseph for a week now without any medication. And uh, we’ve concluded that he shows symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
MOTHER
Doctor Weiss, I’m sorry to interrupt, but what good will medications do?
DOCTOR
Well, I’ve written a new prescription and it should help with delusions and paranoia.
MOTHER
Right. Medication. The same medication that most of the patients are on in this hospital.
CUT TO: Patients in a hospital, some sitting, some watching TV.
DOCTOR
No. All patients are treated as individuals. Every patient is given medication specific to their mental disability.
MOTHER
Doctor Weiss, my husband and I have been thinking a lot about our son this week. About what has happened to him, what is wrong with him, even about what to do with him. I see him crying out for help and I don’t know what to do. He’s my son and I don’t know how to help him.
CUT TO: Young man walking through building and eventually towards another young man.
BROTHER (JAMES)
Hey Joe.
JOE
Hey James.
CUT TO: Dining room of home, Joe walking toward mother.
JOE
Sorry, it’s not me it’s my disease.
JAMES
I know. Don’t worry about it Joe.
Joe is looking in the fridge, turns towards his sister. James is watching TV on the couch.
JOE
Who put the cameras in this time, huh? Are you against me?
SISTER
What are you talking about?
JOE
I said why did you put cameras in this room? Why are you recording me?
The mother walks into the kitchen.
MOTHER
Stop it!
JAMES
I’ve hated your disease more than anything in the world. Every single day of my life. I wake up and I wonder, what if I’m going to have what you have?
James and his mother are talking. He picks up a butcher knife and puts it at his throat.
JOE
The difference is, when you woke up this morning you were fine.
Joe begins to cry.
JAMES
I’m sorry. You know, you’re getting better.
CUT TO: Hospital where James and Joe are speaking.
JOE
I’ve never had a girlfriend. I don’t have any friends. All I want is friends so I can go hang out and get drunk, not have to worry about the black and shiny things. My entire life I’ve had to worry if I was or wasn’t going to feel well. If I was going to get nervous. I can’t even remember what it was like before this. Before this disease.
JAMES
You’re my brother. You’re my big brother and you’ve taught me more than you know. I love you. I will always love you. Mom, Dad, Cass, they all love you. And I’m not going away ever again. I promise you that. Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll be with you til the end…if you let me.
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