STATE OF MIND

Are forgiveness and healing possible through reminiscence and symbolic rituals? Congolese society has been sorely afflicted by the country’s recent history of civil war and widespread violence. The renowned American trauma therapist Albert Pesso spent some time in Kinshasa in 2009 practicing his particular form of holistic group therapy. In his sessions perpetrators and victims are brought into contact with each other - physically. The atmosphere in the room comes close to breaking point. The distress and relief of the participants is tangible. This is an affecting study of a large personality and some important work. And that which words ultimately cannot express can be seen in the film’s gentle images of a traumatised land.