Evelyn

Evelyn is a poignant, profound, and heartrending documentary released by Academy-Award winning director, Orlando von Einsiedel. This feature deviates from Einsiedel's previous films ("Virunga" and "The White Helmets"), centering around his beloved family that still reels from an unspeakable trauma.

Within this deeply personal narrative, Einsiedel aims for a raw and authentic experience through the lens of his camera. This tremendous endeavor recounts the tragic loss of von Einsiedel's younger brother Evelyn, who took his own life after a long struggle with schizophrenia. The film delicately and honestly depicts the struggle faced by Evelyn's family members as they grapple with their buried grief and unanswered questions, ten years after his tragic departure.

While the theme of the documentary might be mistaken as gloomy, it manages to strike a delicate balance between the pain of loss and the relentless need for closure. This balance is maintained carefully throughout the narrative, offering a broader perspective on mental illness and suicide, two stigmatized issues that are often taboo in many societies. The film also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing these issues in a society that often seems to deny their existence.

Evelyn is a deep and reflective journey that unfolds through the extensive walks in breathtaking landscapes across the UK that were once loved by Evelyn. These beautiful settings are juxtaposed with the deep emotional exploration of the film's subjects, creating a riveting experience that insists viewers reflect upon the nature of grief, loss, remembrance, and ultimately – healing.

This very personal story is told with the involvement of Einsiedel's family, including his two other siblings, his mother, and his father. Their honesty in expressing their feelings, sharing their memories of Evelyn, and talking about their cumulative struggle brings intimacy to an otherwise intimidating topic. This communal grieving process lets audiences connect with the individual characters while beautifully highlighting the important role of familial bonds and unity during times of adversity.

Throughout the course of the movie, the family converses with people who knew Evelyn personally, including his friends and former teachers. Though the process is undeniably agonizing, it derives moments of sweetness and even laughter from subtlety of the family's interaction with such significant but almost forgotten memories of Evelyn.

The film also gives significant attention to mental health awareness. Evelyn’s story is imbued with a universal message about the importance of understanding, empathy, and compassion for the individuals struggling with mental health problems. Here, Einsiedel doesn't just remember his lost brother, but he also increase awareness of the often-ignored truth that mental health, with its complex facets, is as crucial as physical wellbeing and deserves the same attention.

Evelyn is also an intimate examination of guilt and regret faced by those left behind. The family bravely confronts their feeling of guilt— for what they did not understand, did not see, and perhaps did not do, at a time when Evelyn was lost in his battle against his inner demons. The movie acknowledges the guilt while gently suggesting that it is an integral part of being a survivor in the aftermath of a loved one's suicide.

As the movie concludes, it's clear this cathartic journey has allowed the family to confront their suppressed grief, reignite precious memories, and gradually move toward accepting their tragic loss. After years of silence, Evelyn has finally been given the recognition he deserves—a brave act that is both a tribute to his lost life and a call for more understanding of mental health issues.

With its gorgeous sceneries, emotionally charged narrative, and heartfelt performances by the real family, Evelyn acts as a therapeutic chronicle examining the impact of suicide and mental health on a family left to cope. It’s a highly emotional, deeply moving film that transcends its tragic subject matter to deliver a message of hope, acceptance, and endurance in the face of profound loss.