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Man Whose Mind Exploded (The)
- Director: Toby Amies
- Producer: Rob Alexander; Toby Amies
CGiii Comment
Drako Oho Zarharzar became a lovely man...somewhat unconventional, definitely confused - who had dalliances with the surreal...surviving two near fatal accidents, he was doubly resurrected...to become what he became: a better person or a living joke?
All of us - without exception - judge with our eyes...those first impressions and all that they entail. The director - Toby Amies - introduces us to Drako, old, naked, fat, tattooed and pierced on Brighton beach...talking about his decorated 'cock' (and love) - not something you would want to see or hear everyday. Immediately...judged!
What follows is akin to peeling an onion...layers and tears. Possibly, reflecting the lies and fears that [might] inhabit Drako's damaged, idealistic world. Sometimes he looks terrified, sometimes he talks nonsense. And then, he smiles...a winning smile...that would melt a stony heart...judgment quashed...that is, until he plays with his nipples! Judgment upheld.
This is less documentary, more video diary...of an unlikely, uncanny friendship. As Drako and his brain injury have obscured the lines between the here and there and the now and gone...
Amies blurs the line between the role of the documentarist and the diarist. Asking the question: Should a filmmaker become so emotionally involved with his subject? Why the hell not! There will always be a place for the objective, agenda-laden, corroborative documentary...and hopefully, there will always be a place for the subjective, caring portrait...of us, people...foibles, warts and all.
This is what Amies has achieved...a portrait...of a friend...nipples, cocks and all.
It is not a highly-polished, big-budgeted extravaganza - instead, a DIY-Guerilla film that absorbs the filmmaker into the story - conscience, conflicts and all.
Drako - now - has a tangible, long-lasting memory, this film - something he never had in the latter stages of his life...and, sadly, he never got to see...still, what a gift...to be shared.
Go and meet this charming, harmless, harmed man.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Drako Oho Zaraharzar can remember modeling for Salvador Dali and hanging out with The Stones. But he can't remember yesterday. This "beautifully intimate and utterly unique piece of cinema" gained 4 star reviews from The Times, The Guardian and The Independent in the UK. Filmed over four years, The Man Whose Mind Exploded attempts to understand and accept the world view of someone with serious brain damage, and it resonates for anyone who's tried to care for someone who may not be great at caring for themselves. Following a severe head injury, Drako Zaraharzar suffers from terrible memory loss, he can access memories from before his accident, but can't imprint new ones. As he puts it, "the recording machine in my head doesn't work". Consequently, and as an antidote to depression he chose to live "completely in the now" according to the bizarre mottoes delivered to him whilst in a coma.
Cast & Characters
Tony Banwell as Documentary subject