Must Read After My Death

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Must Read After My Death
Directed byMorgan Dews
Written byMorgan Dews
Produced byMorgan Dews
Music byPaul Damian Hogan
Distributed byGigantic Releasing
Release date
November 28, 2007 (IDFA) February 20, 2009 (Theatrical)
Running time
74 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Must Read After My Death is a 2009 documentary film written, produced, and directed by Morgan Dews. It tells the story of Allis and her husband Charley, in Hartford, Connecticut in the 1960s.[1]

The film's soundtrack was composed by Emmy-nominated musician Paul Damian Hogan.[2]

Synopsis[edit]

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, 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[edit]

Must 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[edit]

The 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. Must Read After My Death played theatrically in New York City 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]

Critical response[edit]

The 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]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Paul Damian Hogan". IMDb.
  3. ^ Ebert, Roger. "Must Read After My Death Movie Review (2009) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  4. ^ Ebert, Roger. "The ten best documentaries of 2009 | Roger Ebert's Journal | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
  5. ^ Jenkins, Mark (February 19, 2009). "'Must Read After My Death': A Real Page-Turner". npr.com. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "CASE STUDY: MUST READ AFTER MY DEATH | Film Independent". www.filmindependent.org. Archived from the original on 2012-01-20.
  7. ^ "Must Read After My Death". Rotten Tomatoes.


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