This Beggar's Description

[jarkko]

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-1 ... views2.php

This Beggar's Description (November 10, 7:30 pm, rating: NNN ). It's a sensitive, moving doc chronicling the life of Tétrault's brother Philip , a Montreal poet, musician and diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic.

A promising athlete as a child, Philip began experiencing mood swings in his early 20s. His extended family, including his daughter, share their conflicted feelings love, guilt, shame, anger with the camera. They want to make sure he's safe, but how much can they take?

Director/writer Tétrault, former artistic director of Young People's Theatre, uses lots of shattered, hazy imagery and some discordant music (by Donald Quan ) for ambience. Songs by Leonard Cohen also add a running commentary, and Cohen himself a long-time admirer of Philip's poetry makes a poignant, understated appearance at the film's end.

While it takes an extended look at Philip's writing, much of which is quite powerful, the film does not tie things up tidily, which feels appropriate.

A rich look at the complexity of mental illness.

[lizzytysh]

This is right on time for some of the other discussions we're having elsewhere on the Forum. I can only bet that Leonard's input will be very impacting on the whole of this film, its sensitivity, and its intent.

~ Lizzy

[tomsakic]

In one particularly humorous scene, Cohen, a V8 in his hand, and Phil, with an ever present bottle of scotch in his, are sitting on a park bench trying to figure out how long they've known each other. Try as they might, the two wordsmiths can't figure out what 52 minus 18 equals. Leonard, if you're reading this, it's 34.

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/081805/film1.html

[Tchocolatl]

Very Interesting subject.

"Philip Tetrault - a poet who has lived with schizophrenia since he attended McGill University at the age of 21. Philip was a poet suffused with promise and was hailed by Leonard Cohen as Canada's best kept secret in 1989... before he slipped into yet another schizophrenic nightmare."

http://www.trolleynet.com/190456304X.php


"Once heralded by Leonard Cohen as the next great poet, Philip Tetrault had his first schizophrenic episode in his early twenties, while attending McGill University."

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/0106 ... rault.html


"I'm not sure how he met Leonard Cohen but it was years ago in Montreal. Phil would be doing a poetry reading and Leonard would happen by on the street and come in. So they knew each other. He's been really nice to Phil over the years, given him money. Phil gives him poetry."

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine ... 71,00.html

"The film also spotlights Phil's poetry. While many would shrug his writings off as the rantings of a lunatic on a street corner, they are actually quite ingenious. His words are crafted so masterfully he has become a presence at the streets he inhabits, boasting a fan base including Canadian legend Leonard Cohen."

http://gauntlet.ucalgary.ca/story/5976

And sad :

"This Beggar’s Description • Garneau Theatre • Sun, Nov 6 (7 pm) This Beggar’s Description tells the story of Philip Tetrault, a homeless poet afflicted with schizophrenia. With its made-for-TV aesthetic, the documentary takes a rather inoffensive approach in exploring the dangers of leaving mental illness untreated. Because we never see Philip at his worst—he’s remarkably coherent, even when he drinks—it’s hard to imagine his illness being truly debillitating, especially in one scene where he intently discusses poetry with his pal Leonard Cohen. Fortunately, the doc is filled with numerous firsthand accounts of Philip’s destructive behaviour from his siblings and estranged daughter that effectively convey how some victims of mental illness are genuinely beyond the help medicine and therapy can provide. (TK)"

http://www.vueweekly.com/articles/default.aspx?i=2838

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/even ... ventId=229


Hum... a heroe in the seeweeds, if there is one.

One could add that the sun of Hydra was not the sole cause of a certain experimental novel, but the Montréal of poet Cohen seemed to be packed up with poètes maudits of all kinds. How fascinating.

[jarkko]

Last night I watched this documentary (thanks Anne, as always)... a very moving story of a man whose life has been ruined by schizophrenia and booze but who in spite of that writes poetry appreciated by many.
There were six Cohen songs (Suzanne, If it be your will, Guests, Partisan, Who by fire, Anthem) on the soundtrack, and the end is of great interest for all of us: Pierre and Leonard are sitting on a bench in the park next to Leonard's house in Montreal, and look back to the past. Leonard reads Pierre's poems. AND there is more if you have got the DVD: the special feature "Picnic in the park - shooting the breeze with Leonard Cohen".
(and don't miss the other bonus: a picture gallery from the photo book of Pierre's daughter)

[Dem]

Speaking of that beautiful loser, he gets his own homage with Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen. Directors Don Owen and Donald Brittain piece together footage of Cohen during a stopover in Montreal during his 1964 book tour.

Is Philip Tetrault the friend Leonard mentions in "Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen" that he visited in a mental asylum?

Dem

[lizzytysh]

This sounds unique, wonderful, and worthwhile, Jarkko. I'm glad you didn't have to miss it ~ and got the bonuses, besides .

~ Lizzy

[tomsakic]

A famous homeless person came to the door briefly and Leonard mentioned that he was a gifted poet but was unfortunately in and out of mental institutions.

MEETING WITH LEONARD & ANJANI by Kim Solez, Montreal 2005

That was Tetrault also (confirmed, but reffered to as "famous").

---Yes, we removed Tetrault's name from the report to protect his privacy. / Jarkko

[tomsakic]

Is Philip Tetrault the friend Leonard mentions in "Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen" that he visited in a mental asylum?

According to Google, Tetrault was born in 1952, and his first schizophrenia attacks were in his 20s. (So, 1970s.) I think he's too young for being that person (NFB's film was shot in 1964).

[Dem]

In "Father dear father "
(that Tchocolatl linked)
his daugter Amanda writes in 2004:

" Now that he's in his fifties..."
so Tom you must be right that
he's not the one Leonard is reffering to back in 1964.

Two more excrepts from that moving piece:

I've experienced other people's reactions to him. When we've been sitting in a cafe, and someone will come up to me and say, 'Is he bothering you?' or 'Can we help you?' It's just horrible for him and me. He's so embarrassed. I don't know what to say, I'm like, 'No, no, it's fine.' I don't know what these people are thinking - I mean, we're just sitting having a coffee together. It's all about appearance, about what they assume. You know, there's incredible discrimination towards people like him, people on the street. I've felt it, and I know his stories. The police treat him like shit. People treat him like shit and it makes me so angry.

and

He's taking his medication and you know he's really smart; he's really funny, and he's really nice. Always has been. To this day he gives me money whenever he can. My grandmother always told me to take it.
When I was younger I would want him to have it. I'd say, 'No, you keep it,' because he doesn't really have any money. But both my mother and grandmother said, 'Of course you must take it.' And if someone's panhandling, he'll give them money as well. If he has a buck, he'll give them 50 cents. He's a really good person.

Dem

[lizzytysh]

You're right, Dem, that is very moving and real. When I get a chance to read the whole account by Amanda, I will. Thanks for excerpting it.

~ Lizzy

[Byron]

I am aware that similarly afflicted patients, who attend my local hospital, have been given the opportunity to experience a more acceptable demeanour from the public. Mobile phones which are no longer wanted, have been given to the patients for use in public.

No-one looks twice at a person talking to a mobile phone. Not even if the phone isn't switched on. This simple tactic has allowed some patients to blend in with the rest of the public, in public. It is not possible to use this tactic for all patients, but it has given some patients a degree of freedom that had been denied them.

[lizzytysh]

That is unbelievably imaginative and compassionate, Byron! Kudos to whoever thought of it! Things like that seems so somehow 'obvious' in retrospect, but being that innovative in the beginning, well... it's not so obvious.

We emptied the institutions, but then left people to fend for themselves on the street, under the glaring, judgemental eye of the public. What a favour. This solution to the talking-to-oneself 'dilemma' some people who are mentally ill have no choice but to endure, is really excellent.

Thanks for relating it.

~ Lizzy

[Dem]

I am wondering who are more mentally ill.

The patients who will pretend they are talking
to someone on a mobile phone in public

or the "healthy" ones who really talk on a mobile
in public and let everyone hear their personal issues.


Dem

[lizzytysh]

For one who feels a certain level of consternation when hearing [without choice] the conversations [tending to be loud, besides] of cell-phone talkers, I fully appreciate your question, Dem~!


~ Lizzy