Q&A with Carol Morley
In a last-ditch mission to get recognition for her talent, a non-conformist, forgotten artist persuades her psychiatric nurse to take her on a road trip back to where her story began – but with so many deviations into the past along the way, will they ever make it?
A dark and funny exploration of the growing friendship between two women as they hit the road in an electric car looking for endings. A road movie and a buddy movie which shifts from tender social commentary to fantastical magical realism filled with humour, vivacity and adventure.
“The world is crying out for more magic,” declares artist Audrey Amiss, who has spent a portion of her life in mental health institutions. Once a champion of kitchen sink realism, Amiss is now branded as “avant-garde and misunderstood”. When she persuades her psychiatric nurse to drive her to Sunderland for an art exhibition, the two set out on a road trip in an electric vehicle. But at every turn, Amiss, who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, believes she is encountering people from her past and, as a result, engages in public outbursts of erratic behavior.
Typist Artist Pirate King is a deeply compassionate portrayal of an artist diagnosed with mental illness. The expressive cinematography, poetic visuals, and profound focus on characterization and storytelling recall the works of Jane Campion, who executive-produced the film.
The colours in the film pop, and the interjection of Amiss’ real-life artworks emphasizes the relation between the artist and their art. Monica Dolan portrays the fascinating artist with empathy and humanism, while Kelly Macdonald is captivating as the nurse who helps Amiss reconcile past traumas. If the world is crying out for more magic, then this film achieves that in an unforgettable way.
Manuel Delgadillo
This film is Triple F Rated.
