Must Read After My Death
| Must Read After My Death | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Morgan Dews |
| Produced by | Morgan Dews |
| Written by | Morgan Dews |
| Music by | Paul Damian Hogan |
| Distributed by | Gigantic Releasing |
Release dates |
November 28, 2007 (IDFA) February 20, 2009 (Theatrical) |
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Must Read After My Death is a 2009 documentary film directed produced by Morgan Dews. It follows Allis, her husband Charley, in Hartford, Connecticut throughout the 1960s.[1] The film received critical acclaim, receiving 90% positive reviews at the website Rotten Tomatoes.[2]
Plot
When 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, shock-therapy is administered. This is an intimate story in the family’s own words, from an extraordinary collection of audio recordings and home movies, illuminating a difficult and extraordinary time.[3][4]
Soundtrack
The film's striking soundscape was composed by Emmy nominated musician Paul Damian Hogan.[5]
Distribution
The film had its US premier in 2008 at the Los Angeles 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—often the only conditions under which the exhibitors would agree to screen the film. Must Read After My Death played theatrically in New York for two weeks and in Los Angeles for one week. It was the highest earning film at the Laemmle Sunset 5 during its run.[6]
Reception
Accolades
| 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
- ↑ Dargis, Manohla (2009-02-19). "A Documentary Family Memoir by Morgan Dews, Dictated From the Grave". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/must-read-after-my-death/
- ↑ Ebert, Roger. "Must Read After My Death Movie Review (2009) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ Ebert, Roger. "The ten best documentaries of 2009 | Roger Ebert's Journal | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3055207/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
- ↑ http://www.filmindependent.org/resources/case-studies/case-study-must-read-after-my-death/#.Vij-zNYZH9E