Running from Crazy

Running from Crazy
Directed by Barbara Kopple
Produced by Oprah Winfrey
David James Cassidy
Starring Jack Hemingway
Langley Crisman
Dree Crisman
Joan Hemingway
Margaux Hemingway
Mariel Hemingway
Bobby Williams
Cinematography Andrew Young
Release dates
  • January 7, 2013
Running time
 105 minutes
Country United States
Language English
The documentary is told through the eyes of Mariel Hemingway, author Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter.

Running from Crazy is a 2013 documentary film by director Barbara Kopple about the family of Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway. It was shown at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Through the eyes of Mariel Hemingway, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in Woody Allen's 1979 film Manhattan and who has spoken for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,[1] it chronicles the story of three of the author's grandchildren, Mariel, Margaux Hemingway and Joan "Muffet" Hemingway, daughters of Jack Hemingway, and their struggles with the family history of substance abuse, mental illness and suicide.[2]

The film, focusing on suicide and mental health issues, was promoted on the Oprah Winfrey Network, which had the television premiere of the film on April 27, 2014.[3][4]

Synopsis

Mariel comments early in the film on the fact that seven family members have committed suicide, including Ernest and Margaux.[3][5] Ernest shot himself a few months before his granddaughter Mariel was born.[6]

The film includes excerpts from lengthy footage filmed by Margaux in 1983, called by a reviewer the "most riveting depictions of the Hemingway clan".[7] It demonstrates the contrast between the two sisters: Margaux's modeling and acting career ultimately collapsed and in 1996 she died of a drug overdose exactly 35 years after her grandfather killed himself,[2] while Mariel's early career was successful.[8] In the documentary, Mariel describes her own experience with depression and thoughts of suicide which she says she has overcome.[9] She also talks of her difficulties in dealing with the mental illness of her sister Muffet, diagnosed with "bipolar schizophrenia".[2][7]

Reception

A reviewer called the film "one of the bleakest snapshots of the human soul at this year's [Sundance] festival".[2]

References

  1. ↑ "The Importance of Not Being Ernest". New York Times. October 24, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Doggart, Sebastian (January 25, 2013). "Sundance film festival 2013: Running from Crazy – first look review". guardian.uk. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 McCarthy, Todd (February 5, 2013). "Running from Crazy: Sundance Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  4. ↑ Okura, Lynn (2014-04-25). "Mariel Hemingway's 'Running From Crazy' Documentary Premieres On OWN". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
  5. ↑ Juan González, Amy Goodman. "Extended Interview with Mariel Hemingway: New Doc "Running From Crazy" Tackles Family History of Suicide, Mental Illness". 28 January 2013. Huffington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  6. ↑ Labrecque, Jeff (January 14, 2013). "Sundance 2013: Mariel Hemingway takes the plunge in 'Running From Crazy'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Nelson, Rob (February 3, 2013). "Running From Crazy". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  8. ↑ Germain, David (Associated Press) (January 22, 2013). "Mariel Hemingway runs from crazy at Sundance". Yahoo News. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ Associated Press (January 24, 2013). "Hemingway runs from crazy". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 27, 2013.

External links