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Why I made a film in which I kill my dad

When cameraperson Kirsten Johnson鈥檚 dad was diagnosed with dementia she knew she had to try and capture his spirit on film, before it was too late.

American filmmaker Kirsten Johnson鈥檚 most recent film is called 鈥楧ick Johnson is Dead鈥�, it鈥檚 about her dad, a man she has adored her whole life. A few years ago Dick was diagnosed with dementia. Scared that she was losing the man she loved, she decided she had to try and capture his spirit on screen. But this is no ordinary movie, it follows Kirsten as she stages her father鈥檚 death in a number of grisly ways. It may sound bizarre but it appealed to their shared sense of humour, and by seeing him come back to life over and over again it allowed Kirsten to feel like she was making her dad live forever.

Kirsten鈥檚 documentary film Dick Johnson Is Dead is now available to watch on Netflix.

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Fiona Woods

Picture: Dick Johnson
Credit: Dick Johnson Is Dead

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39 minutes

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