Luuk Bouwman

THE DESERT OF THE REAL is a documentary about psychosis, fiction and perception. How do we know we are not in a dream – or a nightmare – but in the waking world?

The Desert of the Real features six protagonists who have experienced psychosis. They are reflective and articulate personalities from different backgrounds: an artist, a musician, a psychologist, a psychiatric caretaker, a philosopher. In intimate and open conversations, the protagonists talk about their backgrounds and their psychotic episodes. Frightening and alienating moments emerge, but also beautiful ones: feelings of ecstasy and creative associations.