CERTAIN KIND OF DEATH, A

A Certain Kind of Death USA

Winner of a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, A Certain Kind of Death is a compelling and unblinking documentary that lays bare the mysterious process that goes on all around us: What happens to people who die with no next of kin'

Eschewing sensationalism, filmmakers Blue Hadaegh and Grover Babcock present this dark milieu simply and starkly in a series of beautifully composed and controlled scenes. We follow the 'journey' of three separate men, from the moment that coroners arrive, through to the various public administrators handling such details as money and personal property, and finally to the men's ultimate resting places. As each life is revealed, drawn inevitably towards the same vanishing point, we are captivated by proceedings as the deceased grow into a more vivid and 'living' characters than many of the still-breathing case workers.

Not without moments of dark humour'at one point a police officer, while handling a corpse, answers her phone and says completely dispassionately, 'Wrapping a body. What are you doing'-'a Certain Kind of Death presents a series of unflinchingly raw scenes that resonate long after the lights fade.

Please note: contains scenes that may offend some viewers

D/P Blue Hadaegh, Grover Babcock WS New Box Media TD Video/Col/2003/70mins

Blue Hadaegh was born in Iran. Films: A Certain Kind of Death (MIFF 2004).

Grover Babcock was born in Pittsburgh, USA. Films: A Certain Kind of Death (MIFF 2004).