Noella Luka, a Kenyan filmmaker, shares her deeply personal journey with bipolar disorder in the documentary 'What Is Eating My Mind', now available for streaming on BBC Africa Eye. The film chronicles Noella's story, from her aspirations to work and study abroad to being diagnosed with bipolar disorder while attending film school in North Carolina, USA.
Back in Kenya, where mental health issues are often stigmatized and not openly discussed, Noella grapples with navigating this unfamiliar territory with the support of her family and Nick, whom she meets at a mental health support group.
Nick, who had moved back to Kenya from Columbia after being diagnosed with schizophrenia, provides a different perspective in the film, shedding light on the fact that mental illness is often overlooked and not discussed, especially among men in Kenya's patriarchal society. When Nick goes missing, Noella takes on the challenge of helping his family find him, while also struggling with her own mental health and caring for her sick mother.
'What's Eating My Mind' takes the audience on a journey full of fear and hope, offering a rare glimpse into what it's like living with mental illness in Kenya. The documentary is a collaboration between LBx Africa, Generation Africa, and BBC Africa Eye, and marks Noella Luka's directorial debut.
The film was produced by Sam Soko, Don Edkins, and Tiny Mungwe, and is the latest release from LBx Africa, which has also produced acclaimed films such as 'Softie', 'Free Money', 'Watu Wote', 'Baba', and 'No Simple Way Home'."
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