Quiet the Sirens

Quiet the Sirens
Mike Bernard / 2024 / English / Canada / 80 min / Toronto Premiere
It’s no secret that first responders witness and experience some of the worst societal trauma imaginable. How they deal with the debilitating effects of PTSD on a daily basis has been the subject of many films and studies, but Mike Bernard’s new Canadian documentary invites audiences to explore a new, innovative treatment program–Roots to Thrive–that’s using groundbreaking psychedelic medicines alongside group therapy to provide hope and healing to those affected.
The film follows three firefighters, each at a different stage of the program, as they face challenges, breakthroughs, and reconnections. It also features experts from the therapy, trauma and mental health spheres as they guide the trio on their individual journeys. Quiet the Sirens poses important questions about how we support our bravest citizens, how pioneering new drugs and therapies can best help them, and how societal stigmas can often get in the way of both.
It’s a tribute to those pushing forward despite obstacles, and the hope it may give those suffering from PTSD and similar conditions around the world.
— Emma Badame, Rendezvous with Madness 2026 Film Programmer
---#GETMAD #COMPLEXITIESOFCARE
Complexities of Care. Care is often messy, and, like Love, both good and harm are done in its name. Our experiences as care givers and care recipients are intimately connected to our social location. Who can consent? Whose care is compensated? How is it valued? What type of care is offered? Is it sustainable? The various levels of care and its disparities are linked to gender, race, ability, and class amongst many other identities.
ABOUT RENDEZVOUS WITH MADNESS & WORKMAN ARTSRendezvous With Madness is both the first and the longest running Mental Health & Addictions based film & multi-arts festival in North America. With its roots in raising awareness through film, it has since expanded into bringing in other mediums such as theatre, dance, music and visual art. All programming, artwork, administration, and operations is created by and run by those who have lived and living experience. Follow us on Instagram: @workmanartsto
TICKETING & SEATINGTickets are general Admission with limited seating available! To avoid being turned away or standing in a rush line, please book your ticket in advance if possible. Please arrive to the venue no later than 15 minutes before the event in order to avoid your ticket being given to the rush line should an event be sold out.
RUSH TICKETS & INFORMATIONIf a program is off sale, you can come to the venue starting one hour before the event begins to place your name on our Rush list. Rush tickets are sold at the start of the event and patrons are seated just after introductions while trailers are playing. To avoid having your seat given to a Rush patron, please plan to arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the program begins.
ACCESS INFORMATIONAll of our venues are fully accessible. Live captioning provided for most spoken events and Q&A's. Open Captions for the vast majority of films. Films in other languages are always presented with English subtitles.