The start of the school year can be overwhelming for many people - after the freer days of summer comes new responsibilities, expectations and often pressure to perform. At Nevyhasni, we know how important it is to remember to rest, inner peace and also the little joys that help you find your balance again.
One of the escapes we love is film. Immersing ourselves in another world for two hours, letting ourselves be carried away by the story, whether it's full of laughter, emotion or suspense. Movies can open up topics that are hard to find words for - and sometimes they even mirror what we ourselves are experiencing.
We have therefore selected a few films that our members have on repeat - not just because they're great, but because they touch on mental health. Whether they depict the pressure to perform, the complexity of interpersonal relationships, the journey to forgiveness, or simply remind us that it's okay to relax and be yourself.
🎥 F1 (2024)
On competition, pressure and the limits of excellence
A film that at first glance tempts you with racing adrenaline, but under the surface opens up themes such as rivalry, obsession with perfection and pressure to perform. It offers an uncompromising insight into an environment where a mistake means the end - and where victory often comes at the cost of mental exhaustion.
Tereza Bartošková: "I was filled with emotion and laughter all the time. The camera and the atmosphere were so immersive that I felt I was really sitting in the car. Even though the film plays with certain clichés, it all works - like a ride you just have to take again."
🧠 Why F1?
It depicts a world where success is measured in milliseconds and the pressure to perform is omnipresent - a reality that many students and young adults face.
🎥 Grease
About energy, lightness and the joy of being yourself
A cult musical that celebrates youthful abandon, self-acceptance and zest for life. A film that caresses, makes you laugh and reminds you that sometimes it's okay to just dance - no matter what anyone else thinks.
Eliška Vrana: "This film always lifts my spirits. I love its retro vibe and the songs I keep singing long after it's over."
🧠 Why Grease?
In times of stress and overload, it's important to find space for joy, lightness and reminders that we don't have to be serious and perfect all the time.
🎥 A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)
On guilt, forgiveness and self-acceptance
A powerful anime film that isn't afraid to open up heavy topics like bullying, mental trauma and suicidal thoughts. It shows how hard it is to carry the weight of the past - but also that change and forgiveness are possible.
Michael Marel: "The film struck me with its honesty. It perfectly captures the anguish, remorse and inner struggle that many people face but rarely talk about."
🧠 Why A Silent Voice?
Because mental health isn't just about rest, it's about having the courage to face what hurts us - and this film does that with incredible sensitivity.
🎥 The Intouchables
On friendship, difference and humanity
A touching and funny film that shows how much influence another person can have on our lives. Two worlds - one in a wheelchair and the other on the fringes of society - come together to enrich and transform each other.
David Fiedler: "It's a film that connects. I've watched it with friends, with my mom and alone, and it's given me something different every time. I enjoy its honesty and its ability to open up serious topics with lightness."
🧠 Why the Untouchables?
Because mental well-being often comes from unexpected connections - and the film reminds us that we are in this world together, not each on our own.
🎥 Whiplash
On ambition, manipulation and the boundaries between dream and self-destruction
A psychological drama that follows a music student as he pursues perfection under the pressure of a toxic mentor. The film is suspenseful, uncompromising and painfully realistic.
Sara Voldánová: "This film made me think about how many people really live under so much pressure. It fascinates me how it shows the fine line between inspiration and destruction."
🧠 Why Whiplash?
Because the pressure to perform is omnipresent - and the film makes us think about where the line is when we stop doing something out of love and start doing it out of necessity.
🎥 Waves
On loss, memory and the power of emotion
An emotional film set in 1968 that shows through a personal story how deeply history can affect our lives. Strong visual poetics and a great soundtrack make it an experience that resonates long after viewing.
Františka Dočkalová: "I have seen the film several times and each time it affects me differently. The emotion, the atmosphere and the realistic setting drew me in."
🧠 Why the Waves?
Because they show that emotion is not a weakness, but a memory - something that we carry and that shapes our stories. And that even pain can lead to understanding.
🎞️ Conclusion:
Each of these films offers more than just entertainment - it carries a theme that relates to how we feel, how we handle pressure, relationships, expectations and ourselves. At Don't Extinguish, we believe that culture and art have the power to heal and open up space for conversation. Maybe one of these images will open yours.
Whether you're excited or apprehensive about the start of the year - don't forget to remember sigh.
