Numb (2015)

NUMB is dedicated to Carlo Distanislao who in 2011 took his own life due to depression. This film exposes the truth about depression by revealing we all have an 'Inner Critic' that can make us feel miserable. We also have the ability to talk positively to ourselves with our 'Inner Encourager' and find joy like the 'Inner Child'. This film uses the concepts of our 'self talk' in the form of characters that control our thoughts, behavior and emotions. In an attempt to shut out these repeated thoughts we see the protagonist medicate herself to numb out her 'Inner Critic's' voice. In doing so she not only numbs out this voice but also numbs out her 'Inner Encourager' and 'Inner Child'. Revealing you cannot have one without the other. You cannot have joy without pain and you cannot choose to only listen to 'happy' thoughts. Listening and acknowledging all our thoughts and accepting our humanness allows us the ability to love and accept ourselves.