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Must Read After My Death is a 2009 documentary film written, produced, and directed by Morgan Dews. It is a story about Allis and her husband Charley, in Hartford, Connecticut in the 1960s.[1]
| Must Read After My Death | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Morgan Dews |
| Written by | Morgan Dews |
| Produced by | Morgan Dews |
| Music by | Paul Damian Hogan |
| Distributed by | Gigantic Releasing |
Release date |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film's soundtrack was composed by the Emmy-nominated musician Paul Damian Hogan.[2]
Synopsis
editWhen a Hartford couple turns to psychiatry for help with their marriage, things quickly spiral out of control. Couples counseling, individual and group therapy, and 24-hour marathon sessions ensue. Their four children suffer and are given their own psychiatrists. Pills are prescribed, people are institutionalized, and shock therapy is administered. The story is told by the family itself, from a collection of audio recordings and home movies, illuminating a difficult and extraordinary time.[3][4]
Production
editMust Read After My Death was created after Dews found a trove of video and tape belonging to his late grandmother, Allis. The documentary does not include interviews with Allis' grown children and focuses only on her video and audio diary.[5]
Distribution
editThe film had its US premiere in 2008 at the LA Film Festival. Gigantic Digital released Must Read After My Death in February 2009. It was the first film to be released day-and-date in theaters and online. Gigantic managed to control the availability of the film online, blocking it in markets where the film was playing theatrically.[6]
Critical response
editThe film received critical acclaim, receiving 90% positive reviews at the website Rotten Tomatoes.[7]
Accolades
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival | Joris Ivens Award | Must Read After My Death | Nominated |
| 2008 | Marseille Festival of Documentary Film | Grand Prix of the International Competition | Won | |
| International Documentary Film Festival of Navarra Punto de Vista | Special Mention | Won | ||
| Doclisboa International Film Festival | Odisseia Award for 1st Documentary | Won | ||
| Festival dei Popoli Florence | Audience Award & Special Mention | Won | ||
| Filmer à tout prix | Gala Opening Film | Won | ||
| 2010 | Shanghai International TV Festival | Magnolia Award, History & Biography Documentary Golden Award | Won |
References
edit- ^ Dargis, Manohla (February 19, 2009). "A Documentary Family Memoir by Morgan Dews, Dictated From the Grave". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ "Paul Damian Hogan". IMDb.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "Must Read After My Death Movie Review (2009) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (December 14, 2012). "The ten best documentaries of 2009 | Roger Ebert's Journal | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- ^ Jenkins, Mark (February 19, 2009). "'Must Read After My Death': A Real Page-Turner". npr.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ "CASE STUDY: MUST READ AFTER MY DEATH | Film Independent". www.filmindependent.org. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012.
- ^ "Must Read After My Death". Rotten Tomatoes.
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