Skip to content

Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS

In The Realms of the Unreal

Flash Not Detected

Premiere Date: August 2, 2005

Synopsis

Reclusive janitor by day, visionary artist by night, outsider artist Henry Darger moved through life virtually unnoticed. But after his death, a treasure trove was discovered in his one-room Chicago apartment: a staggering 15,000-page novel and hundreds of illustrations that continue to inspire artists around the world. With dreamlike animation, poignant narration by Dakota Fanning and a haunting musical score, Academy Award winner Jessica Yu fashions a bold and beautiful film. In the Realms of the Unreal immerses us in Darger's startling universe of innocence and pain, showing how he forged magic out of the bleakest of lives. A co-presentation with the Independent Television Service (ITVS).

Read the full film description »

TAGS: animation, folk art, henry darger, outsider art

Reviews & Reactions

Write Yours

Average Review

Be the first to review this film!

Write a Reaction

Your rating

Are you aware of our Comment Policy?

* Your email address is for verification purposes only and will not be published, shared, or sold to other entities.

Filmmaker

Jessica Yu

Jessica Yu

view interview »

Film Update

Critical Acclaim

Jessica Yu's elegant new doc In the Realms of the Unreal is a spry, creative response to [Darger's] oceanic talent and claustrophobic life.”

Village Voice