Must Read After My Death 2009

Filmmaker Morgan Dews delves deeply into his grandmother Allis’s life, revealing the profound bond they shared. It wasn’t until after her passing in 2001 that he uncovered a remarkable collection she had curated during the tumultuous 1960s. This archive is a treasure trove of intimate and candid audio recordings, which detail the disturbing realities of her family’s life, alongside silent home movies, photographs, and journals that span decades. Through these recovered materials, Dews crafts a powerful family portrait, offering an intimate glimpse into their struggles against the backdrop of an America on the brink of significant change.

“Must Read After My Death” takes us through the lives of Allis, her husband Charley, and their four children in Hartford, Connecticut. Since Charley’s job requires him to be in Australia for four months each year, the couple opts for Dictaphone recorders to maintain their connection during his long absences. Allis, a modern woman ahead of her time, finds herself battling against the constraints of traditional roles as a wife and mother. The recordings emerge as a form of therapy for her, and with the family’s involvement, they become integrated into daily life.

As the family seeks help from psychologists and psychiatrists, the recordings grow increasingly darker and more desperate, reflecting their escalating turmoil. Meanwhile, Dews juxtaposes the family’s various home movies against the serene yet deceptive images of typical American life, creating a stark visual contrast to the raw emotionality captured in the recordings. This blend of personal archive material paints a compelling and poignant story of resilience amid deep emotional struggles.