By Ellery Capshaw ~
Borderline, an independent film that follows a woman with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), has been played across the country in many film festivals and other locations since its release in April 2016. And lucky for Penn State University Park students, it came to Happy Valley on Monday, November 6th, at 7 p.m. in 113 Carnegie Cinema. Following the screening we had the pleasure of participating in a Q & A with director and producer and someone that lives with BPD herself, Rebbie Ratner, who was joined by psychology professor Dr. Kenneth Levy, Licensed Psychologist Dr. John Mitchell, and film faculty and Borderline editor Anita Gaborsek.
The film artfully follows a 45-year-old woman named Regina, who suffered for many years, went through a misdiagnosis, but finally was properly diagnosed with BPD. The film offers a snapshot into Regina’s world by documenting her life and how BPD affects her, specifically how her mind thinks and how she sees the world through such a different perspective. It was interesting to be able to physically see the changes in her face when a new thought would change the topic or how all of a sudden she might forget what she was doing. But what stuck out the most about Regina was her spirit and her wit.
I personally gravitated toward this film because it was real. It was a real woman living her real life with a real diagnosis that made her everyday life that much more challenging. Being able to see and hear Rebbie Ratner talk about BPD and the experiences they had while filming was a treasure. We were able to hear about her passion for BPD, as well as the filming techniques and approach the team used to best portray the content.
A well-known director and producer in the independent film community, Rebbie Ratner was diagnosed with BPD herself and saw the need to make something that “is often caricatured in popular culture: shrieking outbursts, bleeding eyeliner, dark mascara and slashed wrists.” This is a goal I believe they achieved.
The Borderline team has done so much more than just make a film about BPD–they go beyond the screen because this is a cause they care about. They’ve provided information and first-hand accounts from people living with BPD as well as medical professionals who have extensive knowledge about BPD and its many forms. They’ve opened up a conversation no one talks about. They’re broken down huge walls of stereotypes against those with BPD, and that’s what I believe is important about this project. They’ve done this through their “Borderliner Notes” video archive.
Over the past year, Borderliner Notes has created nearly 400 videos about anything and everything to do with BPD. Everything from how to be a good therapist to someone with BPD to the relationship ups and downs from the point of view of someone with BPD. These videos can be searched by topic as well as person. The team has created playlists with each of their interviewees.
Here’s Borderliner Note’s Youtube channel intro featuring Rebbie Ratner and her abundant personality, which sets the tone for who the Borderline team is and what message they’re trying to send.
It’s not gimmicky or fake. This is real. To have had the opportunity through Penn State to see such an interesting film that not only does something for the big screen but also goes the extra mile and educates is something, as a Nittany Lion, I’m proud to see.
This is real people living with a real diagnosis sharing real and personal stories. With us. With those who are affected, those who know someone affected, or those who are just a little curious, like me.