Hello Reddit! We’re Juliette and Nicolas, two filmmakers whose latest documentary explores La Colifata - the first radio station in the world to air from a psychiatric hospital. Want to know more about how La Colifata in Buenos Aires gives margina...

-You both have worked on a lot of things in your careers- what project are you most proud of so far?

-What is the best food you have ever eaten in Argentina? What about the worst?

- Nico: For me the best project was about Human trafficking, an independent project that we are still working on with Juliette

- Juliette: For me it is a documentary about the genetic mis-information because of the agrotoxic products in north of Argentina.

Nico: the best food is 'Asado' (bbq meat) made on my grill :)

Juliette: For me 'Asado' is the worst because I'm vegetarian haha. The best is the dulce de leche ice cream

and the worst for Nico is mondongo, XD (google the images of it if you dare)

I've had it! It's not something I want to eat again, but still much better than chinchulines.

Thanks for the responses!

Nico: hahahaha, but chinchulines at least taste good!

Hola che! For outsiders like me, could you give a brief description of the political/social diversity of Argentine radio, and where La Colifata fits into it?

After a long battle for their air space they finally got the frequency. It was very hard, because it was interfered by pirate radio.

Now they can be heard in the whole of Buenos Aires (3 million people) and also in the suburbs (15 million people)

For example in 2014 they where in total: FM/AM 3199 radios, now there are 6126.It means that social fight and legal system works :) There are at least 305 non-profit radio stations

The role of this little social radio is very important for the community.They promote democracy and free expression.

With this documentary, we wanted to change the point of view and the prejudices against mental health patients. They can also work, create and contribute to society.

We highly recommend you to watch the documentary and if you have the chance, to actively participate in those social projects, for a better world, It doesn't matter what you do. Maybe we can't fix the problem, but to be heard for those persons always helps and that's the most important for them.

On ARTE.tv: https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/104132-000-A/argentina-s-radio-crazy/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCu4rPFkUw watch it and share it! :)Thanks to all of you, keep on supporting art :)

Hello Juliette and Nicolas! Thank you very much for this fascinating documentary. What motivated you to make a documentary about La Colifata?

We had a concept for the documentary, but it was a real challenge for us to work with mental health patients. They were really spontaneous and we had to adapt the shooting time to their time. On the other hand, they were really open and they really opened up to us, telling us their life stories, their dreams and they also shared their pain. We felt very touched and lucky to listen to their stories.

Hello! We already knew La Colifata radio from the beginning and a producer called to invite us to do the documentary, and we obviously jumped for joy at the opportunity!

Hello! I think this is a very interesting project and I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing more. My question is; have you seen a line in your research between “giving voice” to marginalized people like these and exploiting them for the entertainment of others?

Hello! Particularly in this case, it was a genuine action of many years of hard work and commitment from Alfredo Olivera and his great team. But we are aware that the unethical treatment of mental patients in this way sadly exists. Our documentary tries constantly to tell a story with the patients, not about them.That's why they enjoyed the process with us :)

Thank you for your answer and your work!

Thank you for your question!

Hi from Argentina! We are very excited to be here, looking forward to answering all your questions!

I would love to participate to a La Colifata brainstorming on new radio shows… Have you been to some and what have you learned?

If you come to Argentina, you can go to the hospital on Saturday, and participate in the radio program!

I live in France :) so how was it like for you to participate? Any insights?

Actually the director of the radio, Alfredo Olivera, lives in France, and has developed a project for the radio La Colifata in France with French patients. Some of them will come this month to Argentina, and participate all together in a common action: they will pursue the project of 'Colifata Solidara', that we show in the documentary, and travel to the north of Argentina to make contact with little organic food producers and to create a radio program over there with their own radio station to keep on developing the producer/client organic network.

Hello! Yes we had the chance to participate in brainstorming with them, they were very organized. There were 3 professional carers in different areas, who would guide and orientate the ideas that were coming from the group.

The most beautiful thing was being able to contribute to spreading this healing message, and to make new special friends!

Thanks for doing this AMA and I'm looking forward to watching this film!

Glad to hear it! :)

I'm a YouTube video editor currently working for a major Canadian channel focused on fitness. I also have a bachelor in Journalism. I've edited over 500 videos in the past year, but I'm eager to work with something meaningful. How can I start working with something more focused on social issues and justice? Are you guys looking for a video editor? If not, could you point me to any direction? I'm based in Brazil, but am available to travel wherever.

Hi Jack! you are on the right track! We escape from the world of breaking news to explore more consistent themes. My advice would be to jump on something you want to change in the society you live in and get involved with your art.

I was hoping you might know maybe a channel, agency or group of people that might need a journalist focused on video editing. Do you know any?

You can always apply to us ;)

https://www.arte.tv/sites/corporate/en/professionals-individuals/#job-vacancies

-ARTE.tv administrator

Hi! I am an amateur short film enthusiast. Written script and am about to film it. I have no experience in filming. What is your advice on how to make an impactful short film about mental health theme?

Set attainable goals. You don't want to tell everything at once. And in relation to mental health, think of something that can serve patients and society as a whole.

I graduated from a production certificate course with the NFTS last year, I’m based in Scotland and currently attending the Glasgow Film Festival. At networking events I introduce myself as a producer, and people keep asking me how I can make any money in the role. I want to ask you what the process was like from conception of the idea for this documentary to actually getting the funding to go make it. Were there any major obstacles you had to overcome to secure funding, and how did you go about it?

Hello tagh-beatha, to start take projects in which you feel represented. Don't commit your time to causes that does not mean nothing to you or with uncommitted directors/filmmakers. The process is long but has its rewards.

Thanks for the AMA. I have several questions: Does it broadcast 24/7? Are the producers of the shows also patients? How is it financed?

Does it broadcast 24/7? No, YES!! The signal is 24/7 on air! Here you can access https://lacolifata.com.ar/en/

Only on Saturday afternoons it's broadcast live from the Hospital and anyone can participate. Except minors. Are the producers of the shows also patients? Yes and accompanied by expert volunteers in mental health and communication. How is it financed? It is financed by private and public funds.

Sounds like a real life version of old BBC show Takin' over the Asylum , which starred a very young David Tennant .

Interesting!