'A Sister's Call,' Rebecca Schaper's Documentary About Finding Her Schizophrenic Brother (VIDEO)

In 1997, Rebecca Schaper tracked down her brother Call, a man with paranoid schizophrenia who'd been lost without a trace for 20 years. At that point he was homeless, living alone and prone to hallucinations. Schaper, a nature photographer, embarked on a 14-year attempt to "bring her brother back," according to her Vimeo page. She documented the process in a feature length documentary that's currently touring festivals and small screenings. Check out the trailer for "A Sister's Call" below.

WATCH:

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that "A Sister's Call" is set to release in December 2012, as per the movie's IMDB page. It has been corrected to show that the release date is yet to be determined.

Comments

[tspires24]

01:47 AM on 09/16/2012

Back in February, this film was screened at the Macon Film Festival (Macon, GA). We all instantly felt such great love for Call the moment we saw this documentary. I'm sad to say that I went to their website today to see the latest, and read that he passed away just this month.

[Darius Molark]

11:35 PM on 04/14/2012

My brother is a serious schizophrenia. The voices are real. I have heard him talking to them. Were it not for a loving mother, he would have been forgotten. Her right hand is on him always. Older now, with ma watching over him, he takes his medication.

[jokamachi]

10:54 PM on 04/14/2012

I didn't know Santa was homeless.

[icey27]

03:44 AM on 04/13/2012

I know a guy I believe him to schiozphrenic, I believe he is more of the functioning kind don't know if he takes meds or not, but I had to cut off my friendship with him, his conversation was getting more and more bizarre and he was becoming argumentive.

I read that people who were abused as a child could suffer from it. He told me he was abused.

[sheputstheLinPAIN]

08:37 AM on 04/13/2012

It's not generally abuse related, but I understand it's genetic, and can be triggered by head trauma and/or psychotropic (LSD etal) drugs.
So sorry about your friend.

[icey27]

04:07 AM on 04/14/2012

I didn't know about LSD, it's possible.

[sonoffestus]

10:27 PM on 04/14/2012

I do not know how to respond to your post as none of what you "read" was the case with my Brother who has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia for over 50 years. He is about Call's age.

It is a horrible disease and this story moves me like no other. I wish I could hug both Rebecca and her Brother Call right now.

This story makes me sad, happy and hurting....................SOF.

[icey27]

01:19 AM on 04/15/2012

Mental illness is a cruel infliction.

[icey27]

03:31 AM on 04/13/2012

I'm glad she found her brother.

[sonoffestus]

10:35 PM on 04/14/2012

Me too!

[dsands2003]

01:16 AM on 04/13/2012

Schiozophrenia is not the persons fault. Do you believe people like hearing voices, seeing things that aren't there, being suspicious, becoming unkempt, disorganized, isolative, fearful, among other symptoms? Some people with this illness function ok in life while others don't. With family support and medication many people with schizophrenia can cope better in life. Educate yourself about the effects this illness has on families and the one has this mental illness. I feel blessed never was stricken with this illness or my family. Everyone has a cross to bare. Blessed those who care for the ill.

[Rapi Castillo]

10:15 PM on 04/12/2012

Srsly, proof? She posted an AMA on reddit and she hasn't given any proof on any of this. I'd accept it if it were fictional but come on, labeling it as a documentary to make it easier to sell? That's just... mean.

[lschaper]

09:55 PM on 04/17/2012

Not sure where you are getting that it isn't real. The post are on reddit and it is indeed Rebecca Schaper. This is a real life story and trying to change the stigma on mental illness, has nothing to do with trying to sell a story - its real life. What proof would you need?

[stwbrypinacolada]

09:18 PM on 04/12/2012

My husband suffers from schizophrenia... no one will ever know what it's like, until it happens to them. Please don't judge others. He was a teacher for 10 yrs, he is only 30. Life has changed, you never know that someone may fall victim. Yet, I love him so. I know during his moments he's in there somewhere, I just have to find him. After 7 yrs married, how can you not want to try? I feel this will be a good documentary to help others understand. We fear what we don't understand.

[cdakodiak]

02:01 AM on 04/13/2012

Bless you! our son was diagnosed at age 20. the last ten years have been hard on the whole family, but he did accept it and after two stints in the hospital, takes his meds and is a very talented musician who is still our beloved son. People are becoming much more tolerant and empathetic to the plight of the mentally ill. It is like a death in the family... my hopes of him having a wife and family were dashed, but I do pray he will find someone special to share life with. You my dear are your husbands hero, and you are mine as well! Hang in there... it will get easier. be sure to find him a good doc who will take the time to tweak his meds. His life path may have taken a different direction than you expected, but he will be OK and so will you!

[ricosu]

08:56 AM on 04/13/2012

My ex-wife was schizophrenic. It became too much and I got a divorce as much to protect our toddler daughter as anything. I always believed if she hadn't gotten so hostile with paranoia that I would have stayed with her but the hostility was too much. People can't imagine what family go through. She's deceased now. I know what you mean when you say you love him so. Some times I think of her and it takes my breath away(in a good way). Our daughter has been unusually successful.

[Norma Corlis]

09:11 PM on 04/12/2012

Yiks I have a niece that is like that I wish she would go away for good she is a great big pain in the u know what. Wouldn't be so bad but she will not take her meds. and destroys every thing in her way and every one else's too.

[Canipsil]

09:59 PM on 04/12/2012

Compassion, have you met it?

[sheputstheLinPAIN]

08:40 AM on 04/13/2012

There is family help. You might want to check local mental health services.

[lschaper]

09:57 PM on 04/17/2012

sheputstheLinPAIN thank you for all your post and great advice. Mental illness is a serious issue and something that the person cannot control. Getting the proper treatment and support from family can go a long way.