Continuing with the sense of disgust that humans feel when
confronted with damage or deformity in others, the animated film ‘Ryan’(2004) By Chris Landreth presents
an interesting form of this damage. It tells
the life story of Ryan Larkin in the form of an animated
documentary built on the actual interview with Ryan.
Landreth shows his own and Ryan’s psychological damage and
scars ‘on the outside’ in the form of gaps and holes in the body or brain of
the main characters. The ravages of alcohol and drug addiction were represented
by thin arms stripped of flesh with twisted bones showing; or a face that had
dissolved, taking one eye with it.
Some physical abuse is usually visible on the outside of the
body, but psychological damage and trauma are often kept hidden, locked in our
memories or even expunged from our conscious minds and pushed below the
surface. This is perhaps because the experiences are too painful or distressing
to face or because they cause shame. They may think that others will be
disgusted by what is presented to them. It is a fascinating idea to almost turn
the body inside-out and show on the outside that which is normally hidden.
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