Jonathan Caouette’s Tarnation is a spellbinding and heartbreaking documentary self-portrait that re-imagines the whole idea of what a documentary can be. The film chronicles Jonathan’s chaotic upbringing in a dysfunctional Texas family and the unexpected relationship that develops with his mentally-ill mother Renee. Soul-searching, raw, and utterly compelling, the film is all the more remarkable for having been made for just $218 on iMovie software.
Fresh from an overwhelming response at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, Tarnation’s raw and sensual display of self-destruction and rebirth has announced the arrival of an exceptional new cinematic visionary.
Caouette has been documenting his life since he was eleven years old. With Tarnation, he weaves a psychedelic whirlwind of snapshots, Super-8 home movies, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, snippets of 80s pop culture and dramatic re-enactments to create an epic portrait of an American family torn apart by dysfunction and reunited through the power of love.
Tarnation begins in 2003 as Caouette learns of his mother’s lithium overdose in his native Texas. Faced with the haunting remnants of his past, including a family legacy of mental illness, abuse and neglect, Caouette returns home to aid his mother’s recovery. Slipping back into the archives of his youth, we watch Cauoette grow up on camera, seeking escape from family trauma through musical theatre, grade-B horror flicks and the forging oh his identity through popular culture.
Having re-located to New York in his twenties and subsequently attaining peace in the form of a supportive mate, Caouette discovers that family ties are never truly unbound. He rekindles a touching relationship with another victim of a tumultuous childhood – his own mother Renee.
Tarnation is executive produced by Gus Van Sant and John Cameron Mitchell and while undeniably a documentary at heart, Tarnation mines a greater terrain, serving up a history of late twentieth century popular culture and family life that plays out like a collective fever dream.
Tarnation is to open in UK Cinemas on 22nd April 2005 through Optimum Releasing.
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Calling all filmmakers: Win a studio distribution deal
Calling all filmmakers: Win a studio distribution deal
We are offering you the opportunity to have your film appear as a bonus feature on the Tarnation DVD, due for release later this year, as well as have your movie screened alongside Tarnation at the event.
Regardless of your experience behind the camera, we want you to send in your short films. The rules are simple: all films must be submitted on a digital format, we're looking for short movies, ideally 60-90 seconds - but we will accept entries up to 10 minutes long - and films mustn't have had a public screening in the UK. Jonathan will pick the winner and he'll be looking for enthusiasm, love of film, and originality!
