In the Realms of the Unreal
This experimental documentary portrays the work of Henry Darger, a janitor by day and “outsider artist” by night who transcended social isolation and poverty by creating his own world through art.
Awards & Recognition
Nominee
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards - Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking
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.