Film Screening: The Man Whose Mind Exploded

2 February 2023, 4.00 PM - 2 February 2023, 6.00 PM

Toby Amies (Director)

E29 Biomedical Sciences Building

Hosted by Bristol Neuroscience's Memory Hub

Film synopsis: Drako Oho Zaraharzar can remember modeling for Salvador Dali and hanging out with The Stones. But he can't remember yesterday. This "beautifully intimate and utterly unique piece of cinema" gained 4 star reviews from The Times, The Guardian and The Independent. Filmed over four years, The Man Whose Mind Exploded attempts to understand and accept the world view of someone with serious brain damage, and it resonates for anyone who's tried to care for someone who may not be great at caring for themselves. Following a severe head injury, Drako Zaraharzar suffers from terrible memory loss; he can access memories from before his accident, but can't imprint new ones. As he puts it, "the recording machine in my head doesn't work". Consequently, and as an antidote to depression he chose to live "completely in the now" according to the bizarre mottoes delivered to him whilst in a coma. Toby Amies starts off making a film exploring Drako's lurid and exotic back story including work with Dali, Warhol's Factory, Les Folies Bergère, and Derek Jarman. But frighteningly soon a line is crossed, and the documentary maker becomes carer. Drako's way of life and the extraordinary collage of notes to self and erotic art he lives in [the source of the film's title] threatens his health. What follows is unique, eccentric, funny and moving documentary about the relationship between two men, one who's trying to make a film about the other, who's existing in what appears to be a separate reality.

Please note the flim includes scenes of full frontal male nudity. Certificate 15. Running time 1 hour 17 minutes. 

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the Director, Toby Amies. 

No booking required, all welcome. Limited refreshments will be offered after the Q&A. 

Contact information

For further information contact Emma Cahill

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