The Man Whose Mind Exploded

The Man Whose Mind Exploded

By Toby Amies

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2014-07-01
  • Advisory Rating: Unrated
  • Runtime: 1h 14min
  • Director: Toby Amies
  • Production Country: United Kingdom
  • iTunes Price: USD 7.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
6.2/10
6.2
From 13 Ratings

Description

Drako Oho Zaraharzar can remember modelling 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 worldview 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 mottos delivered to him whilst in a coma. Toby Amies starts off making a film exploring Drako’s lurid and exotic backstory including work with Dali, Warhol’s Factory, Les Folies Bergère, and Derek Jarman. But frighteningly soon a line is crossed, and the documentary maker becomes carer. Drako’s way of life and the extraordinary collage of notes to self and erotic art he lives in [the source of the film’s title] threatens his health. What follows is unique, eccentric, funny and moving documentary about the relationship between two men, one who’s trying to make a film about the other, who’s existing in what appears to be a separate reality.

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Reviews

  • refreshingly honest

    4
    By Arialbastardcake
    One thing that resounded very deeply with me, was the kindness and respect shared between these two very different men. Drako was presented, not as an object of pity, nor was he alienated as some strange spectacle. Rather, this film had portrayed a unique and intimate relationship, fostering understanding and acceptance. It is heartwarming to see the director slowly grow to care for Draco, not in spite of the flaws, but to find those traits endearing. I think the world of film documentary shoud foster this kind of understanding more. I have spoken to one of the directors, Toby, a little bit about his filming process. He was sensitive to the implications of making such a exposing documentary, and executed very well without exploiting the subject.
  • Great study

    4
    By Ls24g
    Enjoyable and painful a great and compassionate documentary of what seems to be a undefinable subject
  • Bored

    1
    By Boredmind
    Not good. Boring. Snore fest.
  • Fantastic

    5
    By WyzWon
    A rare look into the life of someone who sees the World very differently than you & I. Meet Draco, an overweight French man who’s witty, funny, and a bit off his rocker. You’ll be on the edge of your seat waiting for this guy to talk. He made me laugh like no other movie I’ve seen, and his voice still echoes in my head. I honestly think he’s enlightened, near the Buddha level. He’s constantly IN THE NOW and perceiving only beauty around him. Very inspiring!

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