Official Selection: Competition - review - ROCKS IN MY POCKETS by Signe Baumane

Signe Baumane explores the history of depression running in her family and the dangers of suicidal thought in her latest documentary feature Rocks in My Pockets. The film is also the first animated feature to be part of the official selection competition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and it was presented in its 49^th edition.

The heavy subject of depression and suicide seems to touch director, animator and artist Signe Baumane, who chooses to explore her family history concerning this topic from the story of her grandmother Anna onwards to present day. It is a story that lasts 100 years and unravels rapidly and with a sense of urgency as we go through the dramatic tales that seem to have plagued the people of the filmmaker’s family.

Making this an even more personal journey and cinematic path of self discovery, Baumane actually animated, shot, edited and produced the film by her self – not to mention that she also narrates the work. This point of the personal narration makes her communication with the audience even more direct and therefore all the more exciting.

For that is the style of approach the New York based Croatian filmmaker chooses to employ when looking at its delicate themes of mental health awareness. Optimism and a dark sense of humour run aplenty with the film, but nevertheless never aim to fully sugar coat the story of the film, which unravels with such urgency that highlights its importance.

Furthermore, the style of distinctive animation and stop motion animation that the film makes use of brings the form of animation back to a more adult and mature world.

Despite this, it’s not quite as highbrow and certainly not aimed at a niche audience, as the real treat is the rapidly and relentlessly unfolding narrative which is quite captivating and ensures Rocks in My Pockets a rollercoaster ride level of entertainment.