David Tennant is to play RD Laing, known as the ‘acid Marxist’ and ‘high priest of anti-psychiatry’, in a new film about the controversial 1960s residential treatment centre Kingsley Hall.



Titled Metanoia, the biopic will chronicle the infamous Scottish psychiatrist’s efforts to create a safe haven for people diagnosed with psychosis and schizophrenia, where there were no locks on the doors and no antipsychotic drugs were administered, at his site on Powis Road in London’s East End. Kingsley Hall opened to residents in 1965 and continued to operate through the height of the flower power movement until 1970. Laing was known for advocating the medical use of LSD, still legal at the time of the centre’s opening, and argued for the breaking down of divisions between patient and health professional.

Writer-director Robert Mullan, the author of three books about Laing, told Screen: “In the late 1960s, and throughout the 70s, RD Laing was seen as the high priest of anti-psychiatry and the so-called ‘acid Marxist’ – lauded by supporters for his daring and experimental work with disturbed people.

“In truth, Laing simply tried harder than other psychiatrists to sympathetically understand the cracked minds of the people who came to see him. He gave them time and tried to see the world from their point of view. His books sold all over the world and his reputation was global.”

Former Doctor Who Tennant, who will star opposite Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss in the film, told Screen he had “long been fascinated by the life and work of RD Laing”. He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and discover this important man and I am honoured and thrilled to be involved in telling this story. Robert Mullan’s passion for the subject is inspiring and the presence of the brilliant Elisabeth Moss makes this something I cannot wait to start work on.”

Laing’s reputation in psychiatry remains mired in controversy 26 years after his death in 1989 from a heart attack while playing tennis. He presented schizophrenia as a rational response to intolerable experiences – a view that put him at loggerheads with an establishment that saw mental illness as a medical problem – and encouraged residents of Kingsley Hall to embrace their so-called madness. One famous patient, Mary Barnes, took Laing at his word, regressing to infancy and painting the walls with her faeces. At least two people jumped off the roof of the building and the property was raided by the drugs squad. Former residents described Laing as a “shaman”, rather than a traditional psychiatrist, during interviews for a book and Observer article in 2012.

Mullan hopes to shoot Metanoia in the first quarter of 2016 in Cologne and on location in London. The project is being touted to investors this week at Cannes film festival.

