‘riiia'iuir'ibu (15) 91min 0000.
‘So I’m cured of schizophrenia - but where am I now that I need me?’ Graffiti,
New York 1981. I
Texas in the 19605: a place where doctors persuaded kindly working-class folk to let their children have electric shock treatment for no apparent reason.
It was into this world that Jonathan Caouette was born - bad advnce, madness THE ED‘UKATORS
and frustration were always going to be part of the package. Thirty odd years on and little Johnny became big Johnny, an unemployed actor living in New York with his boyfriend. Still dealing with the results of the treatment his grandparents had inflicted on his mother Renee (young, pretty Renee was totally depersonalised and turned schizophrenic by the therapy), Jonathan is ever her guardian. Whether she is in Texas or New York their connection is strong. One day while he was working as a doorman Jonathan started to put together an audition tape for John Cameron Mitchell, the writer/director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Somewhere along the line Jonathan became obsessed with the extraordinary archive footage he had of his bonkers family and so grew his obsession with telling the tale of his kin who he believes were possibly used as a government experiment.
Edited on lMovie for a total cost of S218, Tarnation is a phenomenal achievement. Enamoured with the films of Warhol, Kuchar, Anger, Walker and Lynch from a relatively early age, Caouette has written this deeply personal missive in the blood of those he adores. Using a mixture of snapshots, Super-8, answering machine messages, video diaries and early short films (combined with music from Low, Nick Drake and Glen Campbell), his film feels as if it may disintegrate in front of one's eyes as furious montage sequence follows sequence. This is experimental documentary filmmaking of the very highest order. By turns angry, tender and perverse, Caouette digs so deeply into the
hell of his tarnished and damned mental inheritance that at times this is a z t
completely devastating and toxic viewing experience. Have no fear - this is the
film that will empower home auteurs the world over (as well as scooping : untold amounts of festival awards, Tarnation has already been a surprise hit in
the US). Revolutionary and unlike anything else you are likely to see this year, Tarnation is mighty like a double-headed rose. (Paul Dale)
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Firm news and giveanai 3 far beautiful cineaste ti pes
I Future Shorts, the largest exhibitor of short films in Europe, is launching in Edinburgh this month. A filter distribution system which promotes upcoming filmmakers to an ever- growing audience. The launch programme will include some of the most inventive and diverse short films out there, including the BAFTA-winning JoJo in the Stars (pictured) and Sundance Festival animation winner Bathtime in Clerkenwell. The night of screenings takes place at the Left Bank, 37 Guthrie St, Edinburgh, 0131 225 9744 on Wednesday 20 April at 8pm, and costs £3.50. (www.futureshorts.com)
I Smirnoff Experience Reel Talent Award 18 working With Scottish Screen to appeal to Scottish film and mUSIC communities. They are offering an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to develop their skills in a five-minute short film. There are also three top prizes wonh more than E10000 each, plus mentoring from Bafta-winning lilni writer and director ASii Kapadia and score des‘igner, Rob Playtord. Interested? Visit www.reeltalentawardcouk for more info. but hurry, the deadline is Friday 22 April.
I Film projectionist and comic book artist Malcy Duff is launching his latest comic book I can 't draw: Part 2 with bands, DJs and projections on Monday 18 April at the Subway, Cowgate, Edinburgh. Doors open at 7.30pm (first band 7.45) and entry is £3.
The List has ten copies of I O Huckabees to give away. It's released through Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to buy on DVD and to rent on DVD and video from 18 April (rrp £19.99). To be in with the chance of winning a copy, just send an email headed ‘Huckabees’ to promotions@list.co.uk, by no later than Thursday 28 April 2005. Usual List rules apply. See review, page 50.
THE LIST 47