Robert Lemelson

Robert Lemelson is an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and a Research Anthropologist at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience. He holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago (1987) and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from UCLA (1999). His work focuses on transcultural psychiatry, psychological anthropology, and ethnographic filmmaking in Indonesia, particularly Bali and Java. Lemelson has produced over a dozen award-winning documentaries exploring mental illness, trauma, and cultural practices, including 40 Years of Silence: An Indonesian Tragedy and the Afflictions series. He founded Elemental Productions (2007) and serves as President of the Foundation for Psychocultural Research since 1999, promoting interdisciplinary research in neuroscience and social sciences.

His research investigates the intersections of culture, history, and mental health, with a focus on topics like structural violence, gender-based violence, and the efficacy of traditional healing systems. He has conducted fieldwork in Indonesia since 1997, producing longitudinal studies on neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, PTSD, and OCD through both academic and cinematic mediums. Lemelson’s work bridges anthropological theory with applied filmmaking, emphasizing ethical representation and participatory methodologies.

Award highlights include the Distinguished Teaching Award (2003) and numerous film accolades like the Silver Screen Award (2010) and Best Asian Documentary (2013). His films have screened globally at festivals such as the Berlin International Film Festival and the Taiwan International Ethnographic Film Festival. Lemelson continues to explore innovative ways to document and analyze cultural dimensions of mental health through interdisciplinary collaboration.