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Animated Movies, Reviews
[REVIEW] ‘Rocks in My Pockets’
Rachel Wagner
TASCHEN Saldi d'Inverno an
Cople da espe mente dannes
er ri) A] Pockets ; S PR ye,
PST Renae ester}
PU eee
With Anomatisa premiering in many US markets this month, | thought it might be fun to profile another adult
(ou might have missed. Produced, directed, written, and animated by the artist
Signe Baumane, Rocks in My Pockets is a challenging film that is de
animated film from last
nitely not for everyone, but I'm glad
saw it
Signe Baumane is a Latvian artist, and Rocks i
Ay Pockets profiles her ‘s history with mental illness
Using paper-mache stop-motion and sketchy hand-drawn animation,
jgne created over 30,000 drawings to
tell the story of her
beautiful
mily. Some may find it garish, but as an appreciator of complex art, | thought it was
family begins with her Grandmother Anna who had eight children and was a severe
manic depressive. She attempts to commit suici
one point in a lake but doesn't
pockets so her attempt fails. This scene is obviously bru
e the rocks in her
but it captures the madness, panic, and strange
peace that happen ins!
the heads of those dealing with mental illness. | have never had a serious incident
like Anna, but | could relate to the panic
the way she described her mania
We then leam about Anna's eight children, and the Latvian proclivity for passing out pills to the mentally ill
particularly Valium and then putting them in asylums; thereby, either trying to dull or hide the problem rai
her
than addressing it. | believe we are a little more advanced in the US but not as far along as we should be.
The pills are helpful but can be over-prescribed, and the hiding and stigma still exist. Signe boldly reminds us
of these problems.
Next we are introduced to four of Signe’s cousins, their struggle, and finally Signe shares her own battle with
schizophrenia. | was particularly moved by her recounting of the birth of her child. It was a transcendent
experience for her but even something as happy as that couldn't take away her problems including
postpartum depression.
Clearly Rocks in I
Pockets is not for the faint of heart or those who don't like something edgy and
different. It is definitely vulgar, disturbing, and challenging to watch, but
found it daring and surprising. The
animation is gorgeous and inventive. | loved how it moved; it felt like a sketch from inside Signe’s mind
Since all the stories are about women, the female bodies are intentionally drawn in a way so they look nude
despite being fully clothed (except for one scene where a back is shown). You get a feeling Signe feels
naked w
hile drawing this story and that leads to her striking visuals
As with any bold artistic film, Rocks in My Pockets is not perfect. Signe decides to narrate the film herself
hich with her strong Latvian accent comes off as robotic and very off-putting and since there is no other
dialogue, that is unfortunate. | also don't know if we needed to hear about every cousin, Signe, and the
Grandma. It may ha
ve worked better as a short because as it is you leave the experience exhausted. You
are stimulated and maybe even inspired but exhausted.
a
SS
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26
9G. 04
ey
edad
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)
But all that said, probably my favorite part of the film is the ending. It does not give us any easy answers but
says that sharing our stories is part of the solution. Signe says “h
be it's good to tell everybody so that
in their genes ..I's in the genes. You were designed to be crazy”. Maybe it is? Maybe we
need to tell our stories and the stories of where we came from, so we get a better idea of how we are all
they know w
designed
can work together to overcome, even embrace these challenges whether it be in our mental
or physical health. How great would that be?
The score by Kristian Sensini is also very strong and worthy of its messag
perfectly
it fits the tone of the film
So if you are looking for something different and enjoy artistic, adult animation, then check out Rocks i
Pockets. | think you will really be moved by it and be glad
ou did. Let me know
u think in the
vhat
comments section. It’s a film that should incite discussion so | will be curious to hear your response if any of
you see it.
Edited by: Kelly Conl