Nise: The Heart of Madness

After returning to a Rio de Janeiro area hospital, Dr. Nise da Silveira refuses the new and brutal electroshock technique used on schizophrenic patients. She is met with ridicule by her male colleagues and given control only of the neglected Sector for Occupational Therapy. Rather than punishing symptoms, she starts a personal program that uses painting, gentle animal interaction, and everyday affection to reach the people behind the diagnoses. Her approach challenges the medical establishment and its rigid hierarchy, slowly turning the ward into a workshop of self expression. As friendships form and patients reveal hidden strengths, the institution begins to rethink its ideas about madness and care, sparked by patient dignity and creativity. Her approach gradually wins small victories within the ward, quietly challenging the old guard without triggering an open clash.

Released in 2016 and directed by Roberto Berliner, the film dramatizes the life of Brazilian psychiatrist Nise da Silveira. It is written by Flávia Castro, Maurício Lissovski, and Patrícia Andrade, with Glória Pires portraying the titular healer, supported by a strong ensemble of Brazilian actors.

Box office figures are not provided in the available data for this title, and it is generally discussed more for its festival reception and its critical portrayal than as a blockbuster in international markets.

By centering Nise da Silveira's humane methods, the film contributes to a conversation about how psychiatric care can prioritize patient creativity and dignity. It invites discussions about art therapy as legitimate treatment and stands as a cultural reminder of humane care.

The film frames a clash between standard psychiatry and a humane approach that treats patients as whole people. It highlights the emotional cost of medical dogma and the quiet courage of care givers. The performance by Glória Pires helps anchor the story and bring its ideas to life.