Insanity Vault
Nathan Kensinger
Synopsis
The 1960's saw the closure of hundreds of psychiatric hospitals when people gained more and more awareness of lobotomy, lobectomy, electroshock therapy, insulin therapy, and when the discovery of Thorazine prompted patients' release to the community. After the onset of de-institutionalization, there has been an almost deliberate effort to bury the history of these places.
Ian Ference, an amateur photographer has visited dozens of derelict insane asylums - mostly by breaking into the guarded premises - in order to resurrect the memories of those forgotten patients.
Insanity Vault follows Ian through one of his crazy adventures in Connecticut.
The team arrives at Norwich State Hospital early morning and sets up for a long walk in the nearby forest and along a disused railway line which leads to the abandoned buildings. They progress in a military like operation towards the safety of the tunnels, carefully avoiding the patrol.
Ian sets up base camp in one of the halls, which was originally used as a non violent building. Walls are crumbling and fallen plaster covers the ground several inches deep in some corners. Discarded documents and artefacts are scattered around.
The forensic ward, which housed the guilty for reason of insanity and the violent patients, is disturbingly beautiful. Sun rays finding their way through the barred windows, contrast with the sternness of the corridors. In some rooms, the roof has even collapsed.
Details
- Year
- 2010
- Type of film
- Shorts
- Running Time
- 15 mins
- Format
- HD
- Editor
- Sylvie Bolioli
- Director of Photography
- Nathan Kensinger
- Music
- Riomond Mirza
- Principal Cast
- Ian Ference
Genre
Production status
Complete
Please let us know if we need to make any amendments to this Film entry mailing us directly at
Last updated 29th January 2009
