Rocks in my Pockets

Directed by Latvian artist Signe Baumane, Rocks in My Pockets is a compelling, dark, and deeply personal animated exploration of family and mental illness. Released in 2014, the film is both autobiographical and a multiple generation family saga that bravely grapples with the serious and complex subject of genetic predisposition to mental illness, narrated with a self-reflective dry sense of humor and a palpable undercurrent of resilience in the face of adversity.

The movie employs a unique blend of animation styles, combining meticulously detailed, hand-drawn characters and objects with vibrant, stylized watercolor backgrounds and stop motion techniques. Every layer of reality erupts into the next, much like the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the human mind in crisis. This visual style serves as a potent vehicle for capturing the delicate and challenging subject matter, offering a fresh perspective on the cinematic representation of psychological distress.

Baumane is the narrator and a character in the tale, articulating individual stories of five family members across different eras, including her own struggle with depression. The title, Rocks in my Pockets, originates from a family anecdote about her grandmother who, burdened by her despair, attempted suicide by walking towards a river with pockets filled with rocks. Each protagonist's episodes hint at various aspects of mental health issues such as depression, schizophrenia, and suicide ideation, portrayed via imaginative and symbolic visual metaphors alongside Baumane’s candid, and at times, chilling narration.

The narrative oscillates between history and personal remembrance, subtly tracing the matrilineal lineage of what Baumane bravely confronts as a hereditary mental illness. The stories are set across different periods and locations, from the rural landscapes of Latvia under Soviet occupation to the urban grit of 20th-century New York. These various settings work to convey a broader universal truth about the cyclical nature of both despair and resilience, while also commenting subtly on significant socio-political shifts of each era.

Despite its grave themes, Rocks in my Pockets is not devoid of humor. Baumane navigates the narrative with an astute, self-deprecating wit, offering clever comic relief and highlighting the absurdity of life's mundane and profound tribulations. This inherent humor acts as a counterweight to the film's darker themes, making it digestible, relatable, and in her own terms, "ridiculously funny."

While Rocks in My Pockets is notably candid about the specificity of women's mental health, it never generalizes or trivializes the subject. Instead, it brings light to a frequently misunderstood topic with an empathic enquiry that goes beyond the usual clichés and tropes associated with mental health themes in cinema.

The profoundly personal nature of this film can be felt in every scene. With no formal voice actors, the narration is performed solely by Baumane, adding another layer of intimacy to the storytelling process. Similarly, the manual and time-consuming animation techniques used speak volumes about the personalized care and dedication invested in it. The handmade aesthetic lends an authenticity that perfectly caters to the raw narrative, making for an incredibly unique viewing experience.

Furthermore, the film uses the motif of nature extensively, whether in the decay of a tree or the incessant flow of a river. It uses these elements to create a dialogue between humans and their milieu, metaphorically suggesting the devastating impact of mental health issues and the potential recovery.

Overall, Rocks in My Pockets is a remarkable fusion of misery, humor, and courage. It's a refreshing depiction of mental illness, unflinching in its honesty and peppered with a dash of surrealism that gives it an undeniable charm. It's a testament to Baumane's extraordinary talent, and though the film dwells on dark themes, it ultimately celebrates life and individual character strength, offering hope and understanding on an often stigmatized subject. The film serves as a reminder that emotional struggles are universal, that it's okay not to be okay, and above all, it underlines the importance of conversation around mental health, and the empowerment that comes from sharing our stories.