The Clinic

A weary-looking middle-aged couple shuffle around their cluttered loft in Yangon, Myanmar. There is stuff everywhere, and a mountain of pills in blister packs lie haphazardly on top of a glass case. The loft turns out to be a clinic and the couple are qualified doctors. They are also artistic: she paints and draws, he is making a feature film, and their patients receive creative therapy in addition to regular treatment. This might not be a sterile, efficient hospital full of white coats, and the treatment rooms might look shabby, but there is real time and attention for people here.

Gradually the film zooms out, offering more political context, and it becomes clear why this unconventional medical couple receive so many patients with mental health issues. Director Midi Z also shows the making of the doctor’s politically sensitive fiction film, all the way up to its premiere at an international film festival.

The film never offers explanations or interpretations, and is portrayed in a matter-of-fact way. Combined with a soundtrack that is at times hypnotic, and a dreamlike, disorienting atmosphere, the result is a mesmerizing and extraordinary viewing experience.