Julien Donkey-Boy (1999)

A portrait of the effects of schizophrenia on family life is the central focus.

Stars:

Ewen Bremner, Brian Fisk, Chloë Sevigny

3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewen Bremner	...	Julien
Brian Fisk	...	Pond Boy
Chloë Sevigny	...	Pearl (as Chloe Sevigny)
Werner Herzog	...	Father
Joyce Korine	...	Grandma
Evan Neumann	...	Chris
Miriam Martínez	...	Teenage Girl (as Miriam Martinez)
Edgar Erikkson	...	Bearded Man
James Moix	...	Dancing Man
Victor Varnado	...	Rapper
Oliver A. Bueno	...	Bowler
Roger Harris	...	Bowler
Josseph Padilla	...	Bowler
Olivia Pérez	...	Bowler (as Olivia Perez)
Freddie Perez	...	Bowler

Storyline

"O, mio babbino caro" plays as a woman skates gracefully. In contrast, little is graceful and daddy is not dear in Julien's world. His father listens to blues wearing a gas mask; dad prods, lectures, and derides Julien as well as Julien's brother and pregnant sister, while grandma attends to her dog. Julien is different, schizophrenic. He wears gold teeth. He bowls, sings, worships, and chats with a group of young adults with disabilities. His sister's child is probably his own. He talks on the phone, imagining it's his mother, who died in childbirth years before. He may be a murderer of children. From his point of view (perhaps), the film follows this odd family for a few weeks.

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Plot Keywords:

schizophrenic | dog | teeth | childbirth | gas mask | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

Dogme # 6 - Julien Donkey-Boy

Filming Locations:

Yonkers, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$11,845 (USA) (8 October 1999)

Gross:

$80,226 (USA) (5 November 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

391 Productions, Forensic Films, Independent Pictures (III)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Harmony Korine was invited by Dogme 95 co-founder Lars von Trier to Copenhagen to use his post-production facilities, effectively upping his million-dollar budget by about 50%.

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Quotes

Julien: Cursed be he who puts an obstacle in the path of a blind man.

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Connections

References Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Happy Days"
Written & Performed by Jim O'Rourke

User Reviews

Very affective art.

I will say that this film is Art at the risk of having raw vegetables thrown at me. It is not "a movie", as in "Hey, Mary, let's go down to the multiplex and catch Julien Donkey-Boy." No. I have the mixed pleasure of understanding this film's subject matter as a clinician. The film conveyed, in my educated opinion, a sensual experience of being very close to the dysfunction it displays. What may seem like unsophisticated art school techniques with sound and image to the casual viewer rang absolutely affectively true to me, as a person who has worked in locked units of state mental hospitals with these families. As entertainment, the film is terrible, as it should be. I would not advise buying an extra large popcorn. It is disturbing and enlightening. Whether or not it belongs in a theater, museum or a classroom is probably debatable. Werner Herzog was brilliant. Ewen Bremner blew me away. Bremner's acting range is amazing. I look forward to seeing him some day in a "regular guy" role.