The Psychology of War

BOSTON, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- War and its effects on soldiers and civilians is the focus of an inaugural film series to debut on April 14-17, 2011 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (MFA) as a collaboration between the MFA and the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101216/MM18901LOGO)

Identified as "The First Annual Hollywood Scriptures Film Series", this year's theme of "The Psychology of War" represents four distinct, international, contemporary films which offer a pathway to understanding the psychology of human nature.

"Especially in these times of war eruptions on a global level, to explore the themes and psychological trauma inherent in the chaos of war seems a natural way to bring psychology and war together," explains Dr. Jill Bloom, faculty member of MSPP and a coordinator of the film series.

Each film is one hour long, followed by a conversation with the audience led by discussants who have been chosen for their expertise in the area.

Dr. Bloom and MSPP Clinical Psychology Doctoral student veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan wars invite conversation following the film "Lebanon" which takes place almost entirely inside a tank and addresses the relationship of soldiers to each other as they head into dangerous war zones.

Coleman Nee, Secretary of Veterans Services for the Commonwealth, is one of the presenters following the film "Armadillo."  Representing the veteran's point of view, Secretary Nee comments, "It is important for all of us to take the time and learn about the issues facing veterans upon returning home from war.  Caring for veterans is a responsibility shared by every one of us, and having a better understanding of these issues is an important step to ensuring that we are providing them with the appropriate support and resources."

Following the film "War Don Don," Rebecca Richman Cohen, producer and director of the film, will be presented with the First Annual Hugo Munsterberg Award for psychology of human nature in cinema.

Each film represents a theme and invites discussion:

WALTZ WITH BASHIR – Thursday, April 14, 7:30 p.m.
An animated film documenting the filmmakers journey toward discovering the truth about an Israeli Army mission that left him with a loss of memory about the events.

LEBANON – Friday, April 15, 6 p.m.
The film takes place inside a tank with four tank crew members who, motivated by fear and basic instincts of survival, desperately try not to lose themselves in the chaos of war.

ARMADILLO – Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m.
Taking place in Helmand, Afghanistan, where the soldiers are situated to help Afghan people, as the fighting becomes more dangerous the gap widens between the soldiers and the civilian population.

WAR DON DON  Sunday, April 17, 1 p.m.
Located in the capital of Sierra Leone, in a fortified building known as the "special court," an alleged war criminal faces trial.  The film puts international justice on trial before the world to see.

Complete information for tickets and the film series can be found on the MSPP website www.MSPP.edu or www.mfa.org/film.  

The Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Film Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is funded by the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation.  The media sponsor is The Boston Phoenix.

About MSPP – Founded in 1974 and located in Boston, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology strives to be a preeminent school of psychology that integrates rigorous academic instruction with extensive field education and close attention to professional development.  It assumes an ongoing social responsibility to create programs to educate specialists of many disciplines to meet the evolving mental health needs of society.  MSPP is committed to bringing psychologists into nearly ever facet of modern life through its graduate programs in Clinical, School, Counseling, Forensic, Organizational, Higher Education Student Personnel Administration, and Executive Coaching.

SOURCE Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology