JIFF review: Outsider. Freud

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https://www.jiff.com.au/films/outsider-freud

Date Reviewed: 01/11/2025

Sigmund Freud is considered one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th Century. The psychoanalyst was the pioneer of talk therapy and uncovering what was occurring in the unconscious mind. The documentary, “Outsider. Freud” examines the Austrian neurologist’s groundbreaking work and techniques.

This documentary is written and directed by Yair Qedar. The latter is no stranger to the documentary film genre. Qedar has previously made films about philosopher, Karl Marx, as well as several poets. For this current one, he takes quite an intimate approach to telling Freud’s life story.

Freud was a Jewish intellectual living in occupied Vienna during World War II. Freud initially did not see the Germans as a threat, once telling a friend that Catholicism was more problematic to the Jewish faith. That was until his persecution and exile to the United Kingdom. Freud would also weather other traumas and tragedies in his life, including the deaths of his beloved daughter and grandson.

Qedar divides his film into four distinct acts. He uses dream-like sequences, animations, and talking-head interviews with psychoanalysts, and Itay Tiran plays Freud. In taking this approach, it describes how Freud was often marginalised and othered. This helped shape Freud, and it also gave him a greater understanding and empathy for how many of his patients could be left to feel like they were on the outer. Things like this and elevating the role of previously invisible mother’s on shaping our inner lives, was history-making.

“Outsider. Freud” is an intriguing look at the pioneer, drawing together lots of new ideas. Much has been written about Freud over the years, but by using his letter excerpts, Qedar has offered viewers a more candid look at the genius’ inner mind. It is ultimately an illuminating documentary that puts a spotlight on Freud’s life-changing new ideas, many of which are still employed today.

Reviewed by Natalie Salvo.