NCR: Not Criminally Responsible

20131 h 39 min 21 secFilm: Documentary

PG

Direction: John Kastner

Production: John Kastner (JS Kastner Productions Ltd.)Deborah ParksSilva Basmajian (National Film Board of Canada)Mark StarowiczMichael Claydon

Script: John Kastner

Produced by J.S. Kastner Productions in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Documentary Channel, and with the participation of the Rogers Documentary Fund.

While gripped by psychosis, a troubled young man stabs a complete stranger six times in a crowded shopping mall. Declared not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder, the young man, Sean Clifton, is confined to a forensic mental health institution. His victim, Julie Bouvier, miraculously survives, haunted by nightmares but relieved that her attacker has been locked safely away.

Twelve years later, she is terrified to learn that Sean is out, living in the community under supervision. He’s applying for an absolute discharge, and if he succeeds, he’ll no longer be required to take the anti-psychotic drugs that control his mental illness. 
Directed by four-time Emmy® award winner John Kastner, NCR: Not Criminally Responsible offers a timely and provocative examination of violence and mental illness, and the rights of victims. With unprecedented access to the patient, the victim, and the mental institution, the film looks at both sides of the debate and puts a human face on the complex ethical issues raised.




Subject categories


  • Social Issues > Crime and DelinquencyViolence
  • Law and Crime > Legal System, Personnel and ProceedingsMurderRehabilitation
  • Psychology and Psychiatry > Mental Illness and Disabilities
  • Media Education > Documentary Film
  • Social Studies > Law
  • Health/Personal Development > Mental Health/Stress/Suicide

Credits


producer
John Kastner
Deborah Parks
Silva Basmajian
director
John Kastner
writer
John Kastner
executive producer
Silva Basmajian
production executive
Mark Starowicz
Michael Claydon
creative head
Bruce Cowley
editor
Michael Hannan
director of photography
John Westheuser
Derek Rogers
location sound recording
Doug Kaye
composer
Bruce Fowler
associate producer
Nicole Rogers
researcher
Nicole Rogers
additional photography
John Tran
additional sound
Richard Nault
Don Stewart
location photographer
Geoff George
supervising sound editor
Stephen Barden
recording mixer
Stephen Barden
sound effects editor
Niall Collins
Patton Rodrigues
dialogue editor
Ryan Ongara
violin
Bridget Hunt
Wendy Rose
viola
Kent Teeple
cello
Marie Gélinas
music preparation
Rebecca Pellet
music score engineer
Mike Duncan
online editor
Andrew Mandziuk
graphics
Mark Alberts
transcription
Chris Warren
production accountant
Anne Sinclair
production auditor
Steven Friedman
entertainment lawyer
Gigi Morin
Iain MacKinnon
publicity
Jennifer Mair
David McCaughna
production insurance
Judy Heron
production supervisor
Mark Wilson
centre administrator
Josiah Rothenberg
production coordinator
Rachel Punwassie
technical coordinator
Marcus Matyas
consultant
Lisa Ramshaw
Shawn White
Hy Bloom