Dick Johnson is Dead

(2020-)

In Dick Johnson is Dead (2020), a heartfelt and unconventional documentary, filmmaker Kirsten Johnson lovingly captures her father's journey towards the end of his life. The film explores themes of mortality, aging, and memory with a unique blend of humor and tenderness.

As Dick Johnson, a retired psychiatrist, begins to experience the effects of dementia, his daughter Kirsten decides to create a series of staged death scenes with him as the protagonist. Through these imaginative and often hilarious sequences, they confront the inevitability of death in a playful and cathartic manner.

However, as the project progresses, Kirsten is confronted with the heartbreaking reality that her father's decline is becoming more rapid and severe. The film becomes a poignant exploration of grief, as Kirsten grapples with the impending loss of her beloved father.

Dick Johnson is Dead is a deeply personal and intimate film that celebrates the joys of life while acknowledging the pain of loss. Kirsten Johnson's unique approach to storytelling and her unflinching portrayal of her father's journey make this documentary a powerfully emotional experience.

This film is a beautiful exploration of the complexities of family relationships, the fragility of memory, and the profound impact that death has on those left behind. Dick Johnson is Dead is an unforgettable cinematic experience that will leave audiences with a renewed appreciation for life and a deeper understanding of the universal human experience.