Boy, Interrupted + Links + Upoming Events in Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago
Some critics who have issues with It's Kind of a Funny Story peg it as "Boy, Interrupted", but there is actually a movie called Boy Interrupted, an HBO documentary about the life of Evan Scott Perry, who jumped out a window when he was 15.
This is a devastating and important film for one particular group of people: teenagers who want to kill themselves. Watch it, guys. You might be a little tired of meeting experts and getting told by counselors what your problems are. It's helpful to see them from the outside.
Evan Scott Perry started talking about suicide at age five. In the middle of the film, at age nine (his family took a lot of video), he sits with a guitar and sings about wanting to kill himself in a way that makes me think he could have made his bones as a musician. The film spends a lot of time with his family -- mother, father, grandmother, step-brother, girlfriend of his paternal uncle who killed himself -- and if you ever needed a reason to stick around on this planet, you can watch Evan's mom choke out lines like:
"I can't believe that I gave birth to this boy and buried him."
Jeez. It's not even nine in the morning. I'm going to need extra coffee.
At the end of the film there's footage of Evan's funeral. When his mother realizes that they didn't dig a hole for her son's ashes (he's going to be interred next to his uncle who killed himself), she tries to laugh it off, and you see on her face the rictus of madness. Evan, I know you had problems but it's too bad you had to put your mom through that. Good inoculation: a movie about suicide without any of the romance that the suicidal brain infects itself with.
Links
Upcoming Events
With It's Kind of a Funny Story coming to DVD this month (and somehow more popular now on IMdB than it ever was in theatrical release), I'm doing some events around the county. I hope to see you at one of them:
This is a devastating and important film for one particular group of people: teenagers who want to kill themselves. Watch it, guys. You might be a little tired of meeting experts and getting told by counselors what your problems are. It's helpful to see them from the outside.
Evan Scott Perry started talking about suicide at age five. In the middle of the film, at age nine (his family took a lot of video), he sits with a guitar and sings about wanting to kill himself in a way that makes me think he could have made his bones as a musician. The film spends a lot of time with his family -- mother, father, grandmother, step-brother, girlfriend of his paternal uncle who killed himself -- and if you ever needed a reason to stick around on this planet, you can watch Evan's mom choke out lines like:
"I can't believe that I gave birth to this boy and buried him."
Jeez. It's not even nine in the morning. I'm going to need extra coffee.
At the end of the film there's footage of Evan's funeral. When his mother realizes that they didn't dig a hole for her son's ashes (he's going to be interred next to his uncle who killed himself), she tries to laugh it off, and you see on her face the rictus of madness. Evan, I know you had problems but it's too bad you had to put your mom through that. Good inoculation: a movie about suicide without any of the romance that the suicidal brain infects itself with.
Links
- Tall Tales, Big Words and Gator-Wrestling... It's Swamplandia!
A review I wrote for The L Magazine of Karen Russell's debut novel. The upshot: "In her florid descriptions, Russell, a Miami native, succeeds; with her precocious teen narrators she has more trouble." - Webquest for It's Kind of a Funny Story
Thanks to Arizona State University for setting up a Webquest for the book and film. A webquest is a page that anyone can edit, like a wiki, focused on teaching strategies. This one currently has reviews, reflections, interviews and suggested pre- and post-reading activities for teachers.
Upcoming Events
With It's Kind of a Funny Story coming to DVD this month (and somehow more popular now on IMdB than it ever was in theatrical release), I'm doing some events around the county. I hope to see you at one of them:
- 2/8/11 - Speaking at UCLA's NRB Auditorium
I'm honored to be speaking at UCLA. I will deliver my keynote speech "How Not to Go Crazy in College", detailing the story behind It's Kind of a Funny Story.
Following the talk I will take questions about writing and mental health with Dr. Bowen Chung, who will answer questions about medical help.
I will also sign books and copies of my books will be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to the public but it does require registration. Please register here, thanks!
When: Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
What time: 7pm
Where: UCLA NRB Auditorium, 635 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90024
[Update: thanks everyone for coming! Picture here.] - 2/12/11 - Reading & Teen Book Swap at Hicklebee's
Hicklebee's is the legendary bookstore in San Jose where authors sign the walls and leave something behind for the "museum." J.K. Rowling read here to around 20 people to celebrate the publication of the first Harry Potter book. Suzanne Collins is also a recent visitor.
I will read from It's Kind of a Funny Story and take questions about the book and film, writing, and mental health. Then I will sign books.
This will be followed by a "Teen Book Swap" where attendees can trade books that they bring to Hickelebee's. This event is free and open to the public! More info here.
When: Saturday, February 12th, 2011
What time: 6pm
Where: Hicklebee's 1378 Lincoln Ave. San Jose, CA 95125
[Update: thanks everyone for coming! Pictures here.] - 2/17/11 - Chicago Public Library: Albany Park Branch
I'm coming to the Albany Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library, where I will read from It’s Kind of a Funny Story, sign books, and discuss the book, film, and my life and favorite authors.
This will be a great evening for teens, parents and educators. It is free and open to the public for everyone in the Chicago area but registration is required. To register, please call (312) 744-1933.
Check here for more details.
When: Thursday, February 12th, 2011
What time: 5:30pm
Where: 5150 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago, IL 60625