Watch Thy Father's Chair

“Thy Father’s Chair” is a heart-wrenching documentary film that portrays an elderly Jewish couple’s struggle to hoard possessions in their Brooklyn apartment that piled up to the point of endangering their own well-being. Directed by Antonio Tibaldi and Alex Lora, the documentary is an intimate and raw exploration of the themes of love, trauma, and devotion.

The film opens with a brief introduction to Abraham and Shraga, the elderly twin brothers who live together in their small apartment in Brooklyn, surrounded by piles of objects and debris. The brothers were successful in their youth and managed to amass a collection of valuable belongings over the years. However, as they aged, their hoarding tendencies escalated, and their relationship with one another became increasingly strained.

The film effectively captures the brothers’ toxic relationship, which is marred by years of learned behaviors and a shared trauma that has influenced their habits. Shraga is warm, sensitive, and reserved, while Abraham is forceful and controlling; both brothers are equally stubborn when it comes to cleaning the apartment. Abraham claims that everything is valuable and that clearing the space would be throwing away a lifetime of memories, while Shraga is more realistic and acknowledges that there is a problem that ought to be solved.

In the midst of their hoarding, the circumstances become apparent; upon noticing the situation, their cousin urges Abraham and Shraga to clean their apartment so they can live more comfortably. However, the brothers are resistant; cleaning up looks like an insurmountable task that’s impossible to complete. The documentary then takes the audience through the brothers’ struggles with their hoarding tendencies, as they attempt to deal with their accumulated possessions.

The film is incredibly authentic and makes the audience empathize with the brothers by providing context for their actions. Their rare bond becomes evident as the documentary progresses. As they start to relinquish their possessions and attempt to improve their living space, they reminisce about childhood memories, share stories, and express remorse for the lost time. They reminisce about their wedding day, their youth, and their parents, who perished in the Holocaust.

The overarching theme of the movie is a portrait of their past, and the connection between their hoarding behavior and childhood trauma becomes apparent. The war left a deep impact on them, resulting in their inability to reset their habits and let go of items that insist on holding on.

The cinematography of the movie also adds meaningfully to the character of the brothers, as it captures close-ups of their facial expressions as they undertake the challenge of clearing their more than crammed house. The camera lingers for moments to capture their genuine emotions as they confront a significant moment, deepening our understanding of them.

Furthermore, the documentary provides historical context and raises questions about the broader problem of hoarding, and the tension between preserving the past and averting the present. By showing the brothers in a way that’s raw and genuine, the film evokes responses of grief, empathy, and love towards the two characters, demonstrating the human side of hoarding.

In addition, the documentary gives us an insight into the challenges that social workers behold. It also brings up questions about individuals' rights versus the government's mandate to intervene in cases where individuals' lives are endangered.

In conclusion, “Thy Father’s Chair” is a touching and interesting film that makes a tough subject accessible by providing insight on the longing and devastation related to hoarding. Through the story of the brothers’ struggle, the film evokes sympathy and empathy, encourages audience engagement, and raises significant discussions about the challenging balancing act between preserving memories and letting go to free oneself. If you have an interest in psychology, social work, or want to see a well-made documentary about hoarding, then “Thy Father’s Chair” will not disappoint.