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Special Features
- Photo gallery
- Storyboards
- Filmographies
- Trailer gallery
- Theatrical trailer
- Interview with Jessica Yu
Editorial Reviews
Review
Remarkable and Exhilarating --John Anderson, Newsday
Product Description
Henry Darger, an elderly recluse, spent his childhood in Illinois's asylum for feeble-minded children and his adulthood working as a janitor. He lived a quiet, nearly solitary existence, but his imaginary life was exciting, colorful and sexually provocative. When he died in Chicago in 1973, his landlady discovered in his room 300 paintings, some over 10 feet long, and a 15,000-page illustrated novel (The Realms of the Unreal), which told the epic story of the virtuous Vivian Girls leading a child slave revolt against the evil Glandelinians. Featuring Dakota Fanning (Hide and Seek) and Larry Pine (The Royal Tenenbaums) as narrators and imaginative animation of Darger's work, Oscar® winner Jessica Yu (Breathing Lessons) brings to life one of the twentieth century's greatest self-taught artists.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
By tmp
VINE™ VOICE
Jessica Yu has crafted a fascinating look at the life and work of Henry Darger, a reclusive Chicago janitor, living in near-poverty who created an illustrated 15-something thousand page novel (among other works) titled "The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm". "Realms" tells the story of the Vivian Girls: seven sisters fighting the evil, child-enslaving Glandelinians, illustrated with over 300 works of art. Amazingly, this huge body of work was discovered after Darger's death in his small room by his landlords. Even more amazingly, his landlords recognized that they had something of value, and kept the works intact.
Yu makes some very interesting choices presenting Darger's life. First, defying convention, she doesn't trot out the usual suspects of art critics and psychologists to tell us what were supposed to be thinking about Darger's life and work; she interviews the people who interacted with him (notice I didn't use the word "knew"- none of them can agree what he was like). Even his landlady, who housed him for decades admits that nobody really knew him. Second, she opens out Darger's art by animating it; a risky choice that pays off. The animated portions of the film bring the other-wordliness of Darger's art out in a way that static shots never could.
Lastly, pitch-perfect readings of Darger's work (by Larry Pine, Dakota Fanning, and others) really help give this film a feeling that is as magical, disturbing, sad and beautiful as Darger's work itself.
The movie is in limited release around the country. I urge you to see it. If you're in New York, go to the Folk Art Museum and see Darger's work. It's incredible stuff, and even more incredible when you realise what Darger might have given up to create them.
Yu makes some very interesting choices presenting Darger's life. First, defying convention, she doesn't trot out the usual suspects of art critics and psychologists to tell us what were supposed to be thinking about Darger's life and work; she interviews the people who interacted with him (notice I didn't use the word "knew"- none of them can agree what he was like). Even his landlady, who housed him for decades admits that nobody really knew him. Second, she opens out Darger's art by animating it; a risky choice that pays off. The animated portions of the film bring the other-wordliness of Darger's art out in a way that static shots never could.
Lastly, pitch-perfect readings of Darger's work (by Larry Pine, Dakota Fanning, and others) really help give this film a feeling that is as magical, disturbing, sad and beautiful as Darger's work itself.
The movie is in limited release around the country. I urge you to see it. If you're in New York, go to the Folk Art Museum and see Darger's work. It's incredible stuff, and even more incredible when you realise what Darger might have given up to create them.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"In the Realms of the Unreal" explores the life and work of Henry Darger, a reclusive Chicago janitor who died in 1973, leaving behind 30,000 pages of writings and hundreds of pieces of artwork which no one knew existed while he lived. Director Jessica Yu approaches Darger's story from three points of view: that of Henry, himself, which he recorded in an autobiography; how those who knew him saw Henry; and the story told in Henry's magnum opus, a 15,000-page novel, laboriously entitled "The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion".
Larry Pine provides Henry's voice, as he narrates his Dickensonian childhood and youth, thorough an adulthood of self-imposed isolation and struggles with faith, to this reluctant retirement. Luckily, his autobiography is frank, because Henry avoided interaction with people and spent every spare moment in his room creating the universe of his novel. Interviews with neighbors, landlords, and acquaintances allow us to see Henry as others did. As Henry's life unfolds, his novel, which he began in 1909 at the age of 17, progresses. The book is about a war between the Christian nation of Abbieannia and the land of Glandelinia, where children are enslaved. The heroes are the 7 cheeky, brave, and saint-like Vivian girl princesses, who lead the child slave rebellion. The novel is narrated by Dakota Fanning. And animators have brought Darger's fascinating illustrations to life in stunning visuals.
Jessica Yu is to be commended for encouraging viewers to come to their own conclusions about Henry Darger. The vibrancy, overwhelming innocence, and creativity of Darger's artwork has made it valuable today. But the artist chose to exist primarily within a fantasy of his own making, writing and painting only for himself. To me, the most fascinating aspect of Henry Darger's work is that it seems like a complete account of someone's fantasy life -which is a rare thing to find. Artists may wonder at the implications of Henry's creating art for "an audience of one". "In the Realms of the Unreal" is an intriguing, beautiful look at art, isolation, and the world within.
The DVD (Wellspring 2005): Bonus features include an interview with director Jessica Yu, some black and white storyboards, a "Photo Gallery" of 6 pieces of Darger's artwork, and a "Director's Filmography". In the "Filmmaker Interview" (30 minutes), Jessica Yu talks about Darger's art, his imaginary world, her approach to telling his story, and making the film. The interview is interesting but much too long.
Larry Pine provides Henry's voice, as he narrates his Dickensonian childhood and youth, thorough an adulthood of self-imposed isolation and struggles with faith, to this reluctant retirement. Luckily, his autobiography is frank, because Henry avoided interaction with people and spent every spare moment in his room creating the universe of his novel. Interviews with neighbors, landlords, and acquaintances allow us to see Henry as others did. As Henry's life unfolds, his novel, which he began in 1909 at the age of 17, progresses. The book is about a war between the Christian nation of Abbieannia and the land of Glandelinia, where children are enslaved. The heroes are the 7 cheeky, brave, and saint-like Vivian girl princesses, who lead the child slave rebellion. The novel is narrated by Dakota Fanning. And animators have brought Darger's fascinating illustrations to life in stunning visuals.
Jessica Yu is to be commended for encouraging viewers to come to their own conclusions about Henry Darger. The vibrancy, overwhelming innocence, and creativity of Darger's artwork has made it valuable today. But the artist chose to exist primarily within a fantasy of his own making, writing and painting only for himself. To me, the most fascinating aspect of Henry Darger's work is that it seems like a complete account of someone's fantasy life -which is a rare thing to find. Artists may wonder at the implications of Henry's creating art for "an audience of one". "In the Realms of the Unreal" is an intriguing, beautiful look at art, isolation, and the world within.
The DVD (Wellspring 2005): Bonus features include an interview with director Jessica Yu, some black and white storyboards, a "Photo Gallery" of 6 pieces of Darger's artwork, and a "Director's Filmography". In the "Filmmaker Interview" (30 minutes), Jessica Yu talks about Darger's art, his imaginary world, her approach to telling his story, and making the film. The interview is interesting but much too long.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Within Yu's invigorating movie we take an extremely intense and magical trip into the litte-known art of Henry Darger. In The Realms of The Unreal introduces us to the brooding and often horrific mind of Henry Darger which is brought to life by amazing voice actors such as Dakota Fanning and Larry Pine.
Yu's treatment of Henry's art is just as sensitive (and engrossing) as her treatment of his art. The surreal dream-like landscapes that Henry Darger created in his huge novel are animated perfectly by Yu. Birds streak across technicolor skies while the children of Albeannia fight the evil Glandelinians in startling motion.
Never before has Darger's life and art been so sensitively told, and I highly suggest this movie to anyone interested in art of any kind. Darger's work is now imitated by thousands of artists across the world and his subversive and disturbing imagery is entirely unqiue and very exciting to see. Not only does Yu truly do justice to this art (she shows at least half of Darger's work) but she uses it to tell the heartbreaking story of a man who only wanted a person to love.
Yu has created a truly great movie and it is, most definitely, a must buy.
Yu's treatment of Henry's art is just as sensitive (and engrossing) as her treatment of his art. The surreal dream-like landscapes that Henry Darger created in his huge novel are animated perfectly by Yu. Birds streak across technicolor skies while the children of Albeannia fight the evil Glandelinians in startling motion.
Never before has Darger's life and art been so sensitively told, and I highly suggest this movie to anyone interested in art of any kind. Darger's work is now imitated by thousands of artists across the world and his subversive and disturbing imagery is entirely unqiue and very exciting to see. Not only does Yu truly do justice to this art (she shows at least half of Darger's work) but she uses it to tell the heartbreaking story of a man who only wanted a person to love.
Yu has created a truly great movie and it is, most definitely, a must buy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful story in every way
I was very moved by the story of Henry Darger. I was worried the documentary would focus on the abuses Mr. Read more
Published 1 month ago by C
5.0 out of 5 stars
So strange.
Such a strange and wonderous story. I don't know why I found it so interesting but I've watched the documentary numerous times. If yer odd like me you'll like it.
Published 3 months ago by Tim Curtiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible story
Saw this movie on netflix. It was such and incredible story that I had to purchase for myself. So imaginative!
Published 4 months ago by Sedrick Lakpa
1.0 out of 5 stars
Darger legacy treated shamefully.
This version of the story of Darger omits or skims over some crucial details, eg; his fascination with whirlwinds, his conviction that he had been transported by one as a child. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Bradbury
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare glimpse of fine film making and expression of a singularity
The film is executed in a way that highlights and doesn't intrude with one man's expression of reality shown by his art. Read more
Published 20 months ago by FilmViewer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Henry Darger meets Wilhelm Reich
This movie was, in every sense of the word, amazingly crafted. I loved it. So much has been said about it that I don't feel like I should review it in details. Read more
Published on December 27, 2010 by Oliver Side
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an amazang man!
This is one of my new favorites. Yes, some liberties were taken with Henry Darger's art, but the story of this great person is mesmerizing.
Published on May 18, 2010 by peony
4.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly lovely.
In the Realms of the Unreal (Jessica Yu, 2004)
Rising star Jessica Yu has been making a name for herself in the television world, directing episodes of such shows as The... Read more
Rising star Jessica Yu has been making a name for herself in the television world, directing episodes of such shows as The... Read more
Published on July 28, 2009 by Robert P. Beveridge
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice to see such an attentively made introduction to such a bizarre...
IN THE REALMS OF THE UNREAL is a 2004 documentary film by Jessica Yu introducing the life and work of Henry Darger. Read more
Published on May 2, 2009 by Christopher Culver
5.0 out of 5 stars
This film provides great insight and compassion for Henry Darger
This video is a must for any admirer of Henry Darger's artwork. The combination of interviews with those who knew Darger, the narration by actress Dakota Fanning as the Vivian... Read more
Published on February 18, 2009 by Artprofgal
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