Aye...disgustingly lecherous. Another young filmmaker on the Tarnation train to exploit her family's crisis for a bit of screen time. We must ask...are these sort of films really productive and empathetic? Is it worth it to corner your mum with a camera so that you can get your break? It's no doubt an interesting story, but I'm skeptical anytime I see a cryng face self-aimed at a camera. It's like running to the mirror to watch your tears instead of being sincere to your emotions. Mental illness is not a sideshow. It shouldn't be treated as such. I cringe when I see stuff like and actually hear the mother saying, "Turn of the camera", and "I told you not to come here," and then hear them being interrogated for the sake of the camera instead of actually being treated like a human being and allowed some emotional privacy. Shame on films like this.
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posted by @ 12/12/2007 8:01 AM
Anonymous obviously isn’t aware that hoarding isn’t widely recognized as mental illness, thus the film. Even within families of hoarders there can be a misconception of laziness or disorganization. Also, those close to hoarders can feel unsupported and helpless. I think that this film will create an awareness of this mental illness, will help people seek treatment and will certainly open a dialog about hoarding.
The shame here is not on this film, the shame is on the coward known as Anonymous who would apparently rather not discuss the unpleasantries of mental illness. The HERO here is Cynthia Lester, the BRAVEST filmmaker I have seen yet!
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posted by @ 12/16/2007 5:38 PM
It is helpful to see others deal with similar situation. It helps me not to feel so alone. My mother is a hoarder, same age and is from Eastern Europe. This film hits close to home.
Hoarding is not talked about very often and goes on behind closed doors. A few decades ago domestic abuse was considered shameful and associated with "undesirable elements". Now we know that it happens throughout society, educated, wealthy and everyone else. We know because we share information. Hoarding IS a mental illness and the only way to make people more aware of it is talking about it.
Yes it is difficult to watch sometimes, especially if you know someone who is a hoarder; their pain can sometimes become your own. But this film must exist for those who want to see and not close their eyes. Thank you for making this film.
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posted by @ 6/12/2008 5:08 PM
Another misdiagnosis of someone who is actually very contientious and virtuous, and instead being labled as having a mental illness.
This is not a hoarding problem. This is a problems of waste. People who have a high sense of personal responsibility toward their community or world, or take on the belief that we are what we become find it hard to deal with mindless consumerism.
A container of paint thrown out by someone else is not trash. THe truth is that IT is NOT TRASH. THe metal tin is a solid material that is melted back into metal. THe paint contents can be used to paint a surface. Letting it burn and make pollution that will harm her childrens breathing air seems just as horrible a thought tot he mother. Does anyone see this other point of view? She is not crazy. the rest of society is.
feel free to contact me
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posted by Silvana @ 7/17/2008 11:14 PM
