Tarnation (2003)
Tarnation USA (2003)
Filmmaker Jonathan Caouette’s documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother – a mixture of snapshots, Super-8, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more – culled from 19 years of his life.
Part documentary, part narrative fiction, part home movie, and part acid trip. A psychedelic whirlwind of snapshots, Super-8 home movies, old answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, snippets of ‘80s pop culture, and dramatic reenactments to create an epic portrait of an American family travesty. The story begins in 2003 when Jonathan learns that his schizophrenic mother, Renee, has overdosed on her lithium medication. He is catapulted back into his real and horrifying family legacy of rape, abandonment, promiscuity, drug addiction, child abuse, and psychosis. As he grows up on camera, he finds the escapist balm of musical theater and B horror flicks and reconnects to life through a queer chosen family. Then a look into the future shows Jonathan as he confronts the symbiotic and almost unbearable love he shares with his beautiful and tragically damaged mother.
Written by Sujit R. Varma for the IMBD
Review from Amazon:
This really is something this film. It has taken over 20 years to put together.
Essentially a biography of a family told using photos, videos, audio recordings taken over the years.
These images and movies are cut together with a soundtrack from the likes of Low and Iron and Wine and are ‘narrated’ by stark overlaid text.
The film was apparently produced for next to nothing using nothing more than an iMac and it’s stark simplicity simply hypnotises you.
It is the story of the film-maker (Jonathon Caouette), his mother and his grand-parents. He was raised by his grand-parents whilst his mother underwent years of barbaric treatment in psychiatric wards – all sanctioned by her parents. A terrible tale of a woman who, initially, had nothing wrong with her and was subjected to hundreds of electro-shock therapy sessions and eventually a lithium overdose. This radically changed a beautiful, ex-model into a disturbed, yet still vibrant women.
Her son shows her the kind of love that really hits home. Incredibly touching displays of his commitment to her.
Overall, it is a very sad story which warms the heart. You can not look away from the screen for a second as the perfect cadence of the film beats on. It’ll upset you and make you feel great all at once. And you will ring your mother at the end of it.
Back to Films on hearing voices
Comments
-
hI JONATHAN, where can I get a copy of Tarnation? I have a VCR. Stephanie