“Riptide”
A Scottish schizophrenia love story road movie.
Discharged from a psychiatric hospital, Jacob attempts to resume his life in Edinburgh, control his schizophrenia and be a worthy member of society. He works collecting litter from the streets. He boxes. He takes his medication. He writes everything down. His Dad barely wants to know him. Frustrated by this existence and encouraged by his psychiatrist to seek fulfilling opportunities, Jacob sets off to the Highlands in search of adventure. By the sea he finds the charismatic Eva, who claims to be the secret daughter of Ingmar Bergman. And she’s on a mission. Jacob and Eva join forces and embark upon adventures.
Director Biography
Tim founded Lyre Productions to make contemporary Scottish feature films. He wrote & produced The Inheritance – the award-winning Scottish road movie directed by Charles-Henri Belleville. Nominated Best UK Feature at Raindance, The Inheritance won the Raindance Award at the British Independent Film Awards and Tim was nominated Best Producer at BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards. The film played 13 festivals, toured cinemas and is released on DVD together with a 60 min Making-Of documentary. Tim wrote, produced & directed The Space Between – an Edinburgh love story which premiered at Edinburgh’s Filmhouse, screened at the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival and Shetland Film Festival, and toured the UK with 57 screenings. The Space Between is released on DVD.
Director’s Statement
For years I’ve wanted to make an authentic, contemporary, hopeful film about schizophrenia. Across the glen from the village I grew up in was a psychiatric hospital called Rosslynlee. We knew people who worked there and people who went there. Later when searching for inspiration for a new film I was struck by the concept of a schizophrenia love story. Through the Royal College of Psychiatrists I met Professor Stephen Lawrie, Head of Psychiatry at Edinburgh University. In great ignorance, I asked if two people with schizophrenia can fall in love. He said “Yes, Bill and Maureen.” Bill and Maureen (not their true names) became Jacob and Eva. We set about creating their story.