Daniel Paul Schreber had spent nine years in a psychiatric clinic when, in 1903, he published Denkwürdigkeiten eines Nervenkranken. His book is still regarded as the most famous autobiography ‘written from the inside’ about schizophrenia, paranoia and megalomania. Schreber believed that he was in contact with God through the Writing-Down Machine, a precursor to the typewriter, and that only his transformation into a woman could save the world. Schreber’s notes are the most important source for this experimental portrait of the British crossover filmmaker Simon Pummell (Bodysong) who, in an original, challenging way, mixes documentary, fiction and animation. Interviews with psychoanalysts, dressed in fin de siècle suits, are juxtaposed with fragments from Schreber’s prose, his typewriter floating through space like a glowing planet, and performances by the Dutch actor Hugo Koolschijn, who portrays Schreber as crazy and tormented and equally convinced of himself.
Film details
Productielanden
Netherlands, United Kingdom
Jaar
2011
Festivaleditie
IFFR 2012
Lengte
86'
Medium/Formaat
DCP
Taal
English
Première status
None
Director
Simon Pummell
Producer
Janine Marmot, Femke Wolting, Bruno Felix, Keith Griffiths, Marc Thelosen
Production design
Rosie Stapel
Cinematography
Reinier Van Brummelen
Editing
Tim Roza
Principal cast
Thom Hoffman, Anniek Pheifer
Screenplay
Simon Pummell
Production company
Hot Property Films, Submarine Channel, Illuminations Films, seriousFilm