It’s common to hear people who are organized or take great care in washing their hands joke that they are “so OCD!”. But obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is no laughing matter, and it involves a lot more suffering than many are aware. While it is not uncommon to sometimes think disturbing thoughts or to engage in rituals, doing this occasionally is not OCD. In fact, the reality is much different and a new short film screening at the Sunscreen Film Festival is working to help others embrace the seriousness of the disorder.
The film -- called “Waving” -- aims to depict an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the brutal realities of OCD, coupled with a sense of hope that help can be found. The film follows a father in self-imposed exile to protect his family from the emotionally destructive thoughts he cannot escape due to his OCD.
The film is a passion project by Executive Producer Ethan S. Smith, who was born with OCD and struggled the majority of his life until receiving life-changing treatment in 2010. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to reduce the stigma around mental health and OCD, a disease which affects one in 100 adults in the US, making it more prevalent than many other severe mental illnesses.
The film stars actor Ralph Ineson (as Charlie), known for his work in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 &2,” “Chernobyl,” and “Game Of Thrones.” In “Waving”, his portrayal of a person with OCD greatly furthers Smith’s goal to build better understanding of and compassion for those who have this very debilitating disorder.