"In the Arms of Morpheus" - Editorial Film Review
- wcthompson
- Apr 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Written for The Soundview Media Partners (originally published June 2023)
"A work of art, at times hallucinogenic, that will beg you to question your own sleep habits, and perhaps keep you up at night. Recommended."
A 2019 Dutch documentary directed by Marc Schmidt, the film received several awards following its premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, followed by the Northern Film Festival in Leeuwarden where much of the production occurred. Schmidt has taken the conventional format for documentary film and turned it upside down, bringing out unique perspectives from each included participant while inviting the viewer to live through their experiences as we step into each of their worlds, essentially trapped voyeuristically alongside them.
In the poem ‘The Assembly of Gods’, there is mention of the Greek god of sleep and dreams, Morpheus who rules between the darkness of sleep and the light of the coming day. "So leyde I me downe my dyssese to releue, anone came in Morpheus and toke me by the sleue.” Those suffering from sleep disorders cannot be taken to this restful place when they are never truly at rest. They are perpetually stuck between these realms where their subsequent disorders take form, ruling over their ever-grasping reach for sleep.
The documentary follows the journeys of multiple people as they navigate their sleep disorders, with the moving narration of their struggles. The chosen subjects range from an artist named Emily who creates portraits of her visions during her sleepwalking phases, to Arnold, a musician who hears static, high-pitched noise similar to malfunctioning audio equipment when afflicted by his chronic sleep deprivation. Though separate in the film, they are interconnected by their struggles. Their portrayal is beautifully haunting; a sort of visual nightmare and auditory cacophony for the viewer to be intertwined with.
Part of our human condition is the relentless search for methods of control over our lives. The dream state is one facet of our existence that we are largely unable to control, let alone understand. Schmidt brings us into a dark place, forcing us to endure this documentary, rather than just watch. It’s meant to make you feel something. There is no complacency available here.
This is a work of art, at times hallucinogenic, that will beg you to question your own sleep habits, and perhaps keep you up at night. Hopefully, it will help you find some kind of restful resolution. After all, what would we be without sleep?
Recommended - C. Sterling for The Sound View
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