Watch Tarnation

Tarnation, released in 2003, is an experimental documentary film directed by Jonathan Caouette. The film explores the tumultuous and tragic life of the director, beginning from his dysfunctional childhood in Texas to his attempts to cope with his mother's deteriorating mental health. The film is a compilation of over 20 years of home video footage, photos, and answering machine recordings, all pieced together to weave a harrowing and intimate portrait of a family's struggles with mental illness and trauma.

The film opens with a scene of Jonathan Caouette, the director himself, as a young boy in Texas. He becomes interested in music, films, and art and discovers his passion for film-making. Through old home videos that span over two decades, we see Jonathan's troubled childhood and his relationship with his mother, a victim of severe bipolar disorder, who underwent numerous shock treatments and, at one point, was declared legally insane. The film follows the trajectory of the family and the impact of his mother Renee's illness on his life, causing him to move away from home and subsequently fall into drug abuse.

Tarnation is remarkable for the sheer intimacy that it brings to the audience. The home videos featured in the film are unfiltered, raw, and unedited, showing the director's life in all its dimensions. The use of old answering machine recordings, diary entries, and photos brings depth to the story of the family's struggles. The film style is non-linear, with a fast-paced editing that creates a sense of chaos and urgency surrounding the story. The sound and image distortions and overlapping visuals add to the sense of confusion and uncertainty in the family's lives.

The film doesn't just explore the director's relationship with his mother, but it also highlights the themes of identity, sexuality, and its intersections with mental illness. Tarnation is thought-provoking, raising questions about the role of family and art in the life of the director. The film shows the struggles and triumphs of the director's life, from his harrowing experiences to finding solace in his films.

One of the most striking aspects of Tarnation is the use of music to heighten the emotional impact of the film. The film's soundtrack features various artists and genres, including John Denver and The Cure. The music plays a major role in the narrative, setting the tone and mirroring the emotional state of the characters on screen.

Tarnation garnered critical acclaim upon its release, and it is easy to see why. The film's honesty, strength and clarity in presentation, and the innovative use of visuals make it a unique work of art. Tarnation enters into the discussions surrounding mental illness, identity, and art that are still relevant today. Jonathan Caouette's vision and approach to the material make Tarnation a must-watch for fans of documentaries and experimental film- making.

In conclusion, Tarnation is an unflinching and deeply personal documentary that explores the complexities of mental illness, family, and art. The film's innovative use of home video footage, sound and image distortions, and a compelling narrative make it a unique work of art. Jonathan Caouette's approach to the material, the use of music, and the film's intimate portrayal of the director's struggles make Tarnation a must-watch for fans of documentaries and experimental film-making.