Tarnation (2003)

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.

Director:

Jonathan Caouette

Writer:

Jonathan Caouette

Stars:

Renee Leblanc, Jonathan Caouette, Adolph Davis

8 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Renee Leblanc	...	Herself
Jonathan Caouette	...	Himself
Adolph Davis	...	Himself
Rosemary Davis	...	Herself
David Sanin Paz	...	Himself
Joshua Williams	...	Himself
Michael Cox	...	Guy cussing in short film
David Leblanc	...	Himself
Stacey Mowery	...	Herself
Michael Mouton	...	Himself
Greg Ayres	...	Himself (as Bam-Bam)
Vanda Stovall	...	Herself
Dagon James	...	Himself
Vivian Kalinov	...	Herself (as Girl in Student Film)
Steve Caouette	...	Himself

Storyline

Part documentary, part narrative fiction, part home movie, and part acid trip. A psychedelic whirlwind of snapshots, Super-8 home movies, old answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, snippets of '80s pop culture, and dramatic reenactments to create an epic portrait of an American family travesty. The story begins in 2003 when Jonathan learns that his schizophrenic mother, Renee, has overdosed on her lithium medication. He is catapulted back into his real and horrifying family legacy of rape, abandonment, promiscuity, drug addiction, child abuse, and psychosis. As he grows up on camera, he finds the escapist balm of musical theater and B horror flicks and reconnects to life through a queer chosen family. Then a look into the future shows Jonathan as he confronts the symbiotic and almost unbearable love he shares with his beautiful and tragically damaged mother.

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Plot Keywords:

video diary | schizophrenic | answering machine | lithium | home movie | 

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Taglines:

Your greatest creation is the life you lead

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

U Talkin 2 Me [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Kolastirio

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$218 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,740 (USA) (8 October 2004)

Gross:

$592,014 (USA) (27 May 2005)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original cut of the film ran over 2 hrs. and 40 minutes long.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Renee Leblanc: [singing] This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.

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Connections

Features Ciao Manhattan (1972)

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Soundtracks

"A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place"
Written by Carol Hall
Performed by Dolly Parton and Theresa Merritt

User Reviews

please read this..

I thought this movie was a masterpiece and something a lot of people really should see. I disagree with what some of the other people have been saying on this, because you don't need to identify with this movie. Its not meant to only effect people who have mentally ill parents or are homosexual. A movie doesn't have to be suited to you for you to enjoy it, that's a really selfish thing to say. The fact that someone is showing what its like using their own life in complete truth is amazing. (to some of the people who commented): stop criticizing everything that isn't perfect and not as entertaining as you wanted it to be and try and learn something from it. It seems like no one can just once put themselves in someone else's shoes and see what their lives are like without complaining and being disgusted. Try to be more open minded and give something a chance without prejudice. Its just like if you do something and the whole time your saying in your head how much you hate it, your obviously not going to like it.

I don't really care though, because I really liked it. It just makes me mad when people can just trash such hard work. So what, the movie was upsetting, you didn't have to actually be put through it, why are you complaining.

In contrast I think the movie was very uplifting how it turned out. Although I can agree that its not something you would watch if you just want to be entertained, but its still worth watching and I can guaranty that if you see it with good expectations, you'll like it. It was an extremely interesting film and also very much original. I definitely recommend it to anyone that is interested in psychology. The movie itself is very well shot and has great sound and music. Again, I think most people will be happy they saw it and please disregard what others say (and what I say). See it and decide for yourself.