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.
Editing
iMovie as weapon — rapid-fire montage that mimics manic episodes.
Acting
Renee Leblanc's screen presence is devastating and unknowable.
Direction
Caouette turns his own exploitation into art — questionably.
Director
Jonathan Caouette
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Caouette made this for $218.32, mostly using free iMovie software and thrift store VHS transfers. It premiered at Cannes and beat studio documentaries.
The film sparked debates about 'trauma porn' in documentary ethics — Caouette filmed his mother's most vulnerable moments while directing her performance of normalcy.
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