"Canvas," a film starring Marcia Gay Harden and Joe Pantoliano of "Sopranos" fame, won several awards but didn't appear in many theaters when it was released in 2006.

Now, thanks to local members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, "Canvas" will bring its message here Thursday.

The film has been praised by NAMI for its gentle, realistic portrayal of a family affected by schizophrenia and critically lauded for reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

"Mental illness really has an impact on the entire family," said Vivian Spiese, president of NAMI PA, the Lancaster County affiliate of the national organization. "Our concern is to constantly fight the stigma of mental illness and bring this information to people so they realize it does happen to all families, no matter who they are."

First-time filmmaker Joe Greco wanted his movie to reflect his own childhood memories and be a universal statement on mental illness.

"I grew up watching my mother battle schizophrenia, and those harrowing memories had a profound impact on me," he wrote in a statement on the film. "Not everyone grows up with a parent suffering schizophrenia. But everyone knows what it's like to be embarrassed, angry and frustrated by a family member."

When Spiese approached Penn Ketchum, owner of Penn Cinema in Manheim Township, about showing "Canvas," Ketchum said he thought it fit well with the community's desire to see quality films, regardless of their commercial success.

"I found it to be very moving. I thought it was brilliant," Ketchum said. "As with many movies that touch on a particular issue, it raises a lot of issues about mental illness and our perception of mental illness."

Spiese said television and film representations of mental illness often are inaccurate and over-the-top — and sometimes downright offensive.

This film had another reason not to be part of the problem. Its star, Joe Pantoliano, who plays a father and husband dealing with his wife's schizophrenia, has long battled debilitating depression.

"When I go through an episode (and) get extremely depressed, it's like the simple basic things in life that can give you so much pleasure … I'm pinching myself and saying, 'Why can't I feel this?'!\p" Pantoliano told NBC News. "It's almost like my heart is paralyzed."

Pantoliano also knows about the stigma — especially in a business where image is everything. He's been told not to disclose his depression, but when he's offered a role and has to take a medical exam for insurance purposes, he discloses that he takes two antidepressants and Lipitor, an anti-cholesterol medication.

"Then I'll get a note or my lawyer will call me and say, 'They're not going to cover you because they're afraid you're going to have a nervous breakdown.' I say, 'Well, I'm taking Lipitor. What if I have a heart attack?' That's OK. The brain does not have the same equal rights as the liver or the kidneys or the gallbladder."

Three years ago, Spiese was instrumental in bringing a documentary about schizophrenia to the area. She was surprised when more than 200 showed up to see "Out of the Shadow" at an area church.

"What that tells me is people want to know more about mental illness because they're affected by it in some way. They don't know where they can get help and understanding," she said.

The theater where it will be showing holds 265. To make sure price isn't an obstacle to those who want to see it, Lancaster County Recovery Task Force is paying for the first 100 admissions. A panel discussion after the film will direct people to local resources that deal with mental illness.

"This is really an opportunity for folks in Lancaster County to come out and see this film, which offers a lot of hope for individuals with a diagnosis and their families and friends," said Diana Fullem, chairwoman of LCRTF.

"Canvas" will be screened Thursday at 7 p.m. at Penn Cinema, 541 Airport Road, Lititz. Admission is $5. Tickets can be bought online at penncinema.com.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com