Logline (24 words)

An intimate, immersive deep dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness – and a burgeoning grassroots movement to do something about it.

Short (74 words)

Inspired by Ron Powers’ acclaimed book of the same name, No One Cares About Crazy People is an intimate deep dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness in America. A heartbreaking family memoir and searing social history, it is personal and immersive – but also tracks a burgeoning grassroots movement to reinvent our failed systems. Narrated by actor Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) with original music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

Medium (130 words)

With a fusion of intimate storytelling and broad reportage, No One Cares About Crazy People is an immersive deep dive into the crisis and chaos of severe mental illness (SMI). The documentary humanizes the face of SMI with a small cast of memorable characters, followed in real time over several years, as they — and also their families — navigate a system that too often seems to conspire against them. The historic roots of this national crisis are traced, as well as the emergence of bold but controversial activism that seeks to reinvent those failed policies. Inspired by the book of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Ron Powers. With narration by actor Bob Odenkirk and original music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

Long (329 words)

With narration by actor Bob Odenkirk and original music by Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy, No One Cares About Crazy People goes deep inside the tragedy, chaos and crisis of severe mental illness in America. It was inspired by Ron Powers’ acclaimed book of the same name, a hybrid narrative of heartbreaking family memoir and searing social history. The film is intimate and immersive (filled with powerful verité scenes), but also tracks the emergence of a grassroots movement to reinvent our disastrous mental health “system.” It’s timely, poignant, powerful, intense – and also, ultimately, hopeful.

The documentary humanizes the face of mental illness with a small cast of memorable characters. Powers – a bestselling author & Pulitzer and Emmy award-winner – is father to two schizophrenic sons, the younger of whom, a musical prodigy, took his own life in the Vermont family basement a week before his 21st birthday. We also witness – in real time — the almost inconceivable story of Mark Rippee, floridly psychotic, blind and, for almost 16 years, unhoused on the streets of Vacaville, California, despite his sisters’ fierce advocacy. That advocacy is part of a burgeoning crusade, spearheaded by family members – people like Taun Hall, whose son Miles, a young black man, was shot and killed by police in 2019 outside his Walnut Creek, CA home, in the midst of a mental health emergency.

The roots of this national crisis trace back over half a century, and today we live with the legacy of all those failed policies. California has emerged as an epicenter of reform action. No One Cares follows that action for three+ years, as a series of bold but controversial initiatives make their way through the halls of power. Governor Gavin Newsom weighs in on why he’s embraced this political hot potato issue. COVID brought mental health challenges to public attention more than ever. But the sickest and neediest were just as desperate before, and their complex plight still receives scant notice. This film changes that.

Gabe Elder, Cinematography

Gabe Elder is a cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NY. He works at the intersection of documentary, experimental and narrative filmmaking. His camera style is deliberate and naturalistic, foregrounding the subjects, locations and stories in his projects. Throughout his career, Gabe has fostered intimate collaborations with a wide range filmmakers. These relationships enable nuanced and intentional decision-making during pre-production and on set. In addition to his work with Gail Freedman over the past decade, he led the Mexico unit of Edgar Wright’s recent Sundance hit “The Sparks Brothers” and was lead cinematographer on “One Vote”, a sprawling documentary chronicling the 2016 election. Gabe’s debut narrative feature as DP, “Familiar Touch”, premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival, where it won the Lion of the Future – Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Film.

Mark Oltmanns, Cinematography

Mark Oltmanns is an award-winning director and cinematographer devoted to crafting observational documentary films. Mark received a Master’s Degree from the UC-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. He’s worked in more than two dozen countries including Afghanistan, Japan, France, Myanmar and Thailand.

Clare Major, Cinematography

Clare Major is a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer who specializes in handheld observational camerawork. Her cinematography credits, in addition to No One Cares About Crazy People, include Oscar-shortlisted short doc HOLDING MOSES and Peabody-nominated and Emmy-winning feature documentary BELLY OF THE BEAST. Clare directed and filmed the short documentary OUTCRY: ALCHEMISTS OF RAGE, which was shortlisted for the International Documentary Association’s Best Short Documentary award.

Ulli Bonnekamp, Cinematography

Ulli Bonnekamp won the 2008 Primetime EMMY AWARD for Outstanding Cinematography for the 10-hr PBS Mini-Series “CARRIER.” This work illustrates his strength as a verité, hand-held documentary DP: Ulli adapts his skills in composition, lighting and camera movement to the mood of the scene, translating his intuitive understanding of the subjects’ physical and emotional state into visual language. Among his long list of high-end documentaries is Ken Burns’ 2015 5-hr PBS Series “Cancer: Emperor of all Maladies” as well as the 2020 series “The Gene: An Intimate History.” His most recent film, “Stars in the Dark,” shot with director Brian Weidling between 2020 and 2023 and to premiere in late 2025, is about the staging of the musical “The Braille Legacy,” performed by the ‘Theatre By The Blind,’ the only theatre group of its kind in the US.

Michael Pruitt-Bruun, Cinematography

Michael Pruitt-Bruun started his cinematography career in documentary and television over 20 years ago with a focus primarily on arts and performance. Since that time, other areas of concentration have also included sports and current events.He has an expertise in portrait lighting and hand-held photography.

Marie-Joelle Rizk, Cinematography

Marie-Joëlle “MJ” Rizk is a Chicago-based Director of Photography with over 30 years of experience bringing visual stories to life across documentaries, docu-series, and non-scripted content. Recognized for her thoughtful composition, expressive lighting, and intuitive storytelling, MJ approaches every project with a strong sense of narrative and deep respect for the people she films and the crew she collaborates with. Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, she has a distinctive view of the world and a profound appreciation for cultural diversity. Her upbringing in a region rich in history and complexity has significantly influenced her storytelling, fostering an understanding of different perspectives and the importance of representation.

Isaiah McNeill, Titles & Animation Design

Isaiah McNeill is an award-winning filmmaker and visual artist specializing in design-driven storytelling and motion graphics. His portfolio spans branded content, feature films, and broadcast campaigns, blending technical precision with a cinematic eye. With a story-over-spotlight approach, his work is known for narrative clarity and intentional design, featured in award-winning campaigns and widely viewed creative content.

Don Wyllie, DI Artist/Colorist

Don’s career span of over thirty plus years as a finishing colorist and online editor (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1912004/). He has helped his clients’ films place at festivals including Sundance, Tribeca, South by Southwest, Toronto and Berlin. Among his wide range of projects are Oscar-nominated feature documentaries such as The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Hot to Trot, Taxi to the Dark Side and Attica. Other notable documentaries are, NAS: Time is Illmatic, Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and The Greatest Ever.

Brian Langman (MCM Creative Productions), Sound Edit & Mix (HE WILL REVISE)

Brian has been a sound professional for over 25 years, with credits covering features, television, documentary, theater and Museum installations. He works out of the studios of MCM Creative in New York. Together with Gail, he had a great time forming the soundtrack for No One Cares about Crazy People.

Doug Dunderdale, Location Sound

Although Doug Dunderdale’s first job in film/video was working on Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood back in the mid-70’s, he has been mostly working as a sound recordist on documentaries since 1981. From projects like The Times of Harvey Milk and Crumb, moving through Who Killed the Electric Car and Food Inc., and more recently working on docs like Athlete A, Crip Camp, Stephen Curry: Underrated, and Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, he’s been privileged to take part in telling many amazing stories.

Henrique Campos, Location Sound

Henrique Campos (Ligeiro) is a documentary filmmaker and production sound mixer from Rio de Janeiro, now based in San Francisco-CA. His sound work spans a wide range of projects—from the Oscar-nominated documentary The Edge of Democracy and the feature film Pacified (produced by Darren Aronofsky), to acclaimed series for Netflix, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Hulu, and PBS. 

Zack Allen, Location Sound

Zachary Allen is a veteran location sound mixer with a sharp ear for story and atmosphere. With over 20 years in the field and six Emmy wins, he brings a rare blend of technical expertise and creative insight to every production. His latest project, “The Elder Skatesmen,” explores the origins and brotherhood of a small-town adult hockey team from central California as they battle their own mortality on the ice through a documentary lens.

Sharon Frye, Audio

Sharon Frye is a seasoned production sound mixer with a dynamic portfolio panning both scripted and unscripted television and film. Now Chicago-based, Sharon has provided over two decades of broadcast-ready audio that elevates the storytelling.

Additional Audio

Mike Grimes, Music Clearances

Michael Grimes is the owner of Graygun Sound & Vision, an entertainment consultancy business specializing in music and media licensing for film, television and digital productions. Michael also works closely with musicians, songwriters, producers, publishers and record labels, advising on creative licensing projects. He has a long association with New York City’s noted performance, music and nightclub cultures, where he has collaborated in promoting live event projects. In addition to his diverse professional associations, Michael maintains strong business relationships with a range of entertainment firms, including EMI/Sony ATV Music, MTV, VH1, and Logo networks.

Landesberg Design, Website Design & Development

Since its founding in 1982, Landesberg Design has focused on the craft of communication design coupled with a conviction that is best expressed within their governing thought of Design for the Common Good. They assist individuals, organizations, missions, and institutions whose work makes a positive impact on the human condition. Their approach encompasses thoughtful listening, focused curiosity, and a devotion to creative storytelling.

Tara Framer Design, Poster & Social Media Graphics
Designer Tara Framer runs a small studio with BIG talent that offers a high level of expertise and creativity. Tara provides film, media, businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations with outstanding branding and marketing strategies for print and digital.

Daniel Fisher (VGD), Website Management

Daniel is a business professional with cross-industry experience encompassing small business to mid-size and corporate brands. Daniel readily leverages his 20+ years of technical experience across CMS, MAP, ESP, and web platforms to support, meet, and exceed project goals.

• New documentary film “No One Cares About Crazy People” will screen at The Townhall Theatre on 9/6 (Listen)
  “The new documentary film, ‘No One Cares About Crazy People’ explores the mental health crisis in America through intimate personal stories and urgent social commentary. The film, directed and produced by Gail Freedman, was inspired by Vermont author Ron Powers’s acclaimed book of the same name. Powers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, shares his own family’s tragedy – losing his younger son, a musical prodigy, to suicide at age 20 – while following grassroots advocates working to reform the broken mental health system in the United States.”
  WAMC – Northeast Public Radio
• No One Cares About Crazy People (PDF)
  “Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater presents the Vermont premiere of director Gail Freedman’s riveting documentary No One Cares About Crazy People, based on Pulitzer Prize-winning local author Ron Powers’ book of the same name.”
  Seven Days, Vermont
• Q&A: Author Ron Powers on the mental health crisis (PDF)
  “The documentary film “No One Cares About Crazy People,” directed and produced by Gail Freedman, was inspired by Vermont author and journalist Ron Powers’s acclaimed book of the same title. It examines America’s mental health crisis through the personal stories of families navigating severe mental illness — including Powers’s own story — and through the grassroots advocacy and policy battles that continue today.”
  Addison County Independent
• Inspired by “No One Cares About Crazy People,” upcoming documentary exposes faults in system & heroes demanding change
  “Freedman’s documentary was inspired by Ron Powers’ 2017 nonfiction book by the same name, but the film quickly expanded into a story about multiple families struggling with serious mental illnesses and their tireless efforts to get help for their loved ones.”
  Pete Earley
• No One Cares About Crazy People: A Documentary Film-in-Progress – Ep. 95
  “No One Cares About Crazy People is a feature documentary film-in-progress about the tragedy, crisis and chaos of severe mental illness in America – and a burgeoning national crusade to do something about it.”
  With Guest: Gail Freedman, Director & Producer
  3 Moms in the Trenches