Our Movember-Recommendations
Not all KiK members can grow a stache - but during Men's Health Month, we would still like to draw your attention to this important topic. And what could be more appropriate than a few movie recommendations?
TW: Suicide, addiction, illness
Men, we need to talk!
November isn't just the month of fall storms and grey days, it's also the month of moustaches - It's Movember.
Started in 2003 as an Australian fundraising campaign in which men grow a moustache (short: Mo) over November to raise funds for research and prevention of prostate cancer and other men's health issues, November has now established itself worldwide as Men's Health Awareness Month.
But why is it necessary to draw attention to men's health at all?
Because most men don't do it themselves.
The antiquated role model of the “stronger sex” prevents men from talking about their health and psychological problems. With grave consequences:
- Men are 35% more likely to die from cancer, but only 40% take advantage of cancer screening services.
- Men are significantly more likely to be overweight.
- Men are three times more likely to be addicted to alcohol or drugs and account for 80% of alcohol and drug deaths.
- 4 out of 5 suicides are committed by men.
- 3 out of 4 missing adults are men.
Men feel pain too.
Men emote, perceive, grieve, doubt, freeze, suffer, are afraid.
It's time for society to accept this!
It's time for men to accept this!
It's time for change!
And we wouldn't be KiK if we didn't have the right films for you covering such a serious and important topic:
The Art of Negative Thinking (2006)
Geirr has been paralyzed since an accident, is impotent and needs a stairlift. And that pisses him off. And he lets everyone know. Unfortunately for his wife Ingvild, he now spends his time watching war films, listening to Johnny Cash, drinking, smoking weed and, above all, feeling sorry for himself. In a last-ditch attempt to save him and their marriage, Ingvild invites a self-help group of disabled people to her home, complete with a therapist brimming with optimism. But a certified pisshead like Geirr also manages to blow up this group, which bathes in superficial optimism and loses itself in self-conditioning phrases, in no time at all, until everyone's nerves are on edge - but at the same time all feelings are finally honestly put on the table. This bitter, black-humoured Norwegian feel-bad comedy is available to stream on Netflix.
Knockin' on Heaven's Door (1997)
Fancy something serene? Martin and Rudi are going to die sooner rather than later - one with a tumour the size of a tennis ball in his head, the other with terminal bone cancer. Two young men who couldn't be more different are waiting to die in the dreariness of a hospice room. Until a bottle of tequila comes into play and, drunk out of their minds, they decide to see the sea one (first and) last time. No sooner said than done - they steal a car and head for the coast. Unfortunately, however, it belongs to a couple of gangsters who want it back and, above all, the contents of the boot. Hunted by police and criminals, the film develops into a refreshingly un-German German road movie. Sadly, the film is not available digitally anywhere and you will have to buy the DVD.
The Whale (2022)
The break with his wife and daughter because of his love for a man and the suicide of the same man broke Charlie. To cope with his grief and the accompanying depression, he started eating and hasn't stopped since. Isolated from the world, now weighing almost 300 kilograms and facing death, his only wish is to reconcile with his estranged daughter. Brendan Fraser's comeback as Charlie rightly earned him the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Unfortunately, you can't stream this moving drama for free, but you can buy or rent it from almost all providers.
Header picture: ©Kino im Kasten