A film that blends documentary, narrative fiction, home movie, and acid trip elements to create a portrait of an American family's dark history. The story begins with the filmmaker's mother overdosing on lithium, forcing him to confront a legacy of family trauma, including rape, abandonment, and child abuse. As he grows up, he finds solace in musical theater and horror movies, and eventually forms a supportive community with his queer friends. The film also explores the complex and painful relationship between the filmmaker and his mother, who struggles with schizophrenia and addiction.
Tarnation
Jonathan Caouette's documentary is a unique blend of home movies, personal recordings, and archival footage, offering a 19-year glimpse into his life with a mother struggling with schizophrenia.
