Buster’s Bedroom
Germany/Canada/Portugal 1990, 35mm transferred to video, colour, sound, 112 min
Intent on immersing herself in the life of Buster Keaton, Micha (Amanda Ooms) visits Nirvana House, the sanatorium where the actor was once a patient. Unbeknownst to her, the residents of the asylum have taken over the institution following the death of their physician. Their leader, the charismatic ‘Doctor’ O’Connor (Donald Sutherland), champions paralysis as a means to obtain mental and physical liberation. Other residents include a wheelchair-bound ex-swimmer (Geraldine Chaplin), a former prima donna (Valentina Cortese), a soft-spoken beekeeper (David Warrilow), a nervous pianist and a gardener with something to hide. A dream-like ensemble piece, whose surreal tone is only heightened by its Hollywood-like production values.