In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)★ 7.3/10
- Documentary
- Biography
Directed by: Jessica Yu
Written by: Henry Darger, Jessica Yu
Janitor Henry Darger spent decades creating a 15,000-page illustrated novel depicting an epic battle between good and evil. His fantasy world, combining religious imagery and heroic drama, remained undiscovered until his twilight years.
- Original title
- In the Realms of the Unreal
- Storyline
- Henry Darger worked all his life in menial jobs in Chicago. Living alone and in poverty, he had no friends or close family. Spending all his off hours alone, he whiled away the hours working on a 15,000 page illustrated novel called The Realms of the Unreal. A stunning amalgam of religious imagery, fantasy, and heroic drama, the work was only discovered after Darger was moved to a hospital during the last days of his life. Darger also wrote journals and an autobiography. The documentary uses interviews with Darger's neighbors and narration of passages from his works, along with his illustrations, to explore the mind and work of Henry Darger.
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 · 2,335
- Companies
- Cherry Sky Films, Diorama Films, ITVS International, Mongrel Media, Wellspring Media, Film1
- Release dates
- US January 1, 2004
- CA January 28, 2005
- IT September 7, 2006
- JP March 29, 2008