Daniel smokes outside Albany Care, a residential mental health facility in Evanston, IL. photo by Margaret Byrne
By: Emma Sanderson
In a brutally honest, brutally beautiful dive into the reality of living with mental illness, filmmaker Margaret Byrne opens up about her own difficulties while getting to know Dimitar, Daniel, and Angela. Three people who attempt to navigate their way through the Cook County mental health court, and share their stories. Any Given Day is a film that aims to raise awareness, and show the world a critical view of the true lack of support regarding mental health. This film aims to provide a space in which conversation is encouraged, and show the importance of shared experiences, shared stories.
Margaret crosses paths with Dimitar, Daniel, and Angela, after observing a diversion program at Cook County’s mental health court. This blossomed into an unlikely friendship, and led to Margaret’s own realization regarding the importance of vulnerability. Encouraged by the persistent bravery and honesty shown by the film's participants, she becomes a part of the film herself. Contributing to the cause while also confronting her own experiences with mental illness. Any Given Day serves as a beautiful reminder of the importance of community, and of conversation.
Margaret Films with Angela near her apartment on Chicago’s West Side. photo by Anjali Pinto
July is BIPOC mental health awareness month, or, Minority Mental Health Month (MMM). A time intended to acknowledge the role of oppression and its impact on BIPOC individuals mental health. Mental Health America has named MMM 2023’s theme to be Culture, Community, and Connection.
Any Given Day highlights the importance of community. The remarkable relationships formed throughout the course of filming show the necessity of vulnerability. Of true connection. Margaret Byrne’s remarkable relationships with Dimitar, Daniel, and Angela, grow stronger as time goes on. Despite the shared difficulties faced, there is an unrelenting sense of community that transcends the screen. Any Given Day aims to share that same sense. To cultivate conversations about the importance of support from not only each other, but from the system itself.
This July 20th, Any Given Day will have its encore broadcast at 8/7c on America Reframed on World Channel. Check local listings for more information on how to watch here. Any Given Day will also be available to stream online for 30 days at worldchannel.org, amdoc.org, and on all PBS platforms including PBS.org and the PBS Video app, available on iOS, Android, Roku streaming devices.
