In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Jessica Yu

Writers:

Henry Darger (writings)
Jessica Yu (writer)

Release Date:

29 March 2008 (Japan)

Genre:

Documentary | Biography

Plot:

A documentary on Henry Darger, visionary artist, janitor, and novelist.

Plot Keywords:

Poverty | Artist | Novel | Janitor | Art

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Larry Pine	...	Henry Darger (voice)
Dakota Fanning	...	Narrator / Vivian Girls (voice)
Frier McCollister	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Wally Wingert	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Janice Hong	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Ruby McCollister	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Paul Robert Langdon	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Mary O'Donnell	...	Herself - Neighbor
Kiyoko Lerner	...	Herself - Landlady
Mary Rooney	...	Herself - Parish Bookkeeper
David Berglund	...	Himself - Neighbor
Regina Waters	...	Herself - Neighbor
Mark Waters	...	Himself - Neighbor
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Henry Darger	...	Himself (photos)

Also Known As:

In the Realms of the Unreal: The Mystery of Henry Darger (Australia) (DVD title)

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:M | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Cherry Sky Films

Quotes:

[last lines]
[end title cards]
Title Card: After Darger's death in 1973, the Lerners decided to share their discovery of his work, preserving his room and its contents.
Title Card: Since then, Henry Darger's work has been exhibited and collected worldwide. His art has inspired the creation of paintings, poetry, music, and works in theatre, dance, and opera.
Title Card: The room was dismantled in 2000.

Soundtrack:

Flash Pan Hunter (Intro)

The Fruits of Loneliness

What a find for the unsuspecting moviegoer. The story is already known: damaged young boy turns into damaged and embittered adult who seeks refuge in a fantasy land influenced by school books, children's literature, and some classics. The result is a monumental work of words and illustrations that result in fame...in death...as an outside artist. The film itself is beautifully made. After ten minutes the doubts that the filmmaker can make this nearly on-liner work is erased, and the world of an unhappy, naive, angry, talented man is joyfully received. Great conceit animating the work, wonderful rendering of the artist's subtle colors (think Bonnard, Vuillard,) and a truly touching look at the soul of a true outsider in every respect. Ah yes, we love the children, always have...on our lips, but in life it has been, and remains, something else.