Film, Video, New Media, and Animation: News and Events

Over a decade in the making, CONSUMING SPIRITS is the hypnotic and elegiac first feature by award-winning animator and SAIC faculty member Sullivan. Set in a dreary Rustbelt town, the film follows late-night radio host Earl Gray; wilting violet Genny, who cares for her foul-mouthed, Alzheimer's-stricken mother; and Genny’s sometime boyfriend Victor Blue, whose days teeter at the edge of sobriety.  One evening while driving home, Genny hits a nun in full habit on the highway, setting off a string of events that reveal a long and twisty history among Genny, Earl, and Victor, involving family dysfunction, foster care, and old wounds longing to heal. Sullivan’s intricate hand-drawn and cut-out animations telegraph his characters’ conflicting and complicated emotions while depicting the minute tragedies and triumphs that make up a life. Winner of the Chicago Award at the 2012 Chicago International Film Festival. DCP video.

Filmmaker Chris Sullivan will be present for audience discussion on: Friday, January 25, and Thursday, January 31.

For showtimes: visit here.