Sigmund Freud, the celebrated father of psychoanalysis, often referenced literature and theater in his analytic theory. The annual Searching the Psyche Through Cinema series looks similarly to the arts to illuminate our understanding of ourselves, returning in January and February with a selection of films adapted from books. A discussion follows each screening.

Leading off: Reese Witherspoon portrays an emotionally wounded Cheryl Strayed, who makes the impulsive—and ultimately healing—decision to hike more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail by herself in Wild (2014; R; 115 min.). The film is adapted from Strayed’s best-selling memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Post-screening discussion is led by psychoanalytic candidate Lori Hoodenpyle, film critic Beck Ireland, and Library Director of Readers’ Services Kaite Stover.

Presented in partnership with the Greater Kansas City and Topeka Psychoanalytic Center.