Few will be able to watch On the Adamant without being deeply moved and inspired by what they see.

This is a soft-spoken but ultimately powerful work that makes the case for the importance of empathy in treating those with mental illnesses, and makes you hope that programs like the one depicted here will one day become the norm.

That Philibert doesn’t stick to a “main character,” or impose a phony narrative arc, vibes well with the facility’s free-spirited methods, even if the documentary lacks the drama of a more structured production.

On the Adamant is a thoughtful, eye-opening documentary about one unique mental health centre that prioritises compassion, self-expression and interaction.