Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1999-2001 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Located in downtown Toronto, Cogent/Benger Productions was founded in 1998 and has produced a large variety of documentaries and specials. The focus on many of their documentaries are major social issues, thus creating a large appeal to their work. Robin Benger and Christopher Sumpton are the founding partners of the company. Benger had experience in Canadian journalism and documentary filmmaking, and Sumpton had worked at CBC editing and working on documentaries. Together they made In Security (Hot Docs 1998 nominee best political/social issue documentary) and Eastside Showdown (Gemini Awards 1999 nominee best social/political documentary) before finally teaming up to make Cogent/Benger Productions.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Two part documentary. First aired on CBC in 2000.
There are thousands of mentally ill people across Canada and their treatment, both medically and personally is just as varied. Looking at those who suffer from thoughts of suicide, rape, abandonment, schizophrenia, and survivors of Electro-Shock therapy, this two part documentary reveals the many people who have been excluded from the general population due to mental disorders. The second half of the documentary follows patients of one psychiatric who believes those who have committed a crime and suffer from mental deterioration can still live successfully in the larger community.