British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Means of Grace

Synopsis
Ann Clements Conger was an ambitious journalist in the 1940’s. In the 1950’s she became a mother, and torn between her domestic roles and her career, she began a frightening journey into the world of hallucinations, tranquilizers and institutionalization. Diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, she, like thousands of other American women, was committed against her will, and given electric shock therapy. Through the use of home movie footage, archival footage and dramatizations, Means of Grace raises questions about social control, definitions of madness, the nuclear family, women’s roles and the Cold War. We meet her daughter, the filmmaker, as she wrestles with questions of doubt, shame, understanding and resoultion.
Language
English
Country
United States
Year of release
1996
Subjects
Social Studies; Women’s studies; Mental Health and Counselling
Keywords
feminism; gender issues

Credits

Director
J. Clements

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 1 NTSC
Price
$99 [Institutional rate]
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
60 minutes
Year
2014

Production Company

Name

Watermark Media

Sponsor

Name

Independent Television Service

Distributor

Name

New Day Films

Email
orders@newday.com
Web
http://www.newday.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+ 1 888 367 9154
Fax
+1 845 774 2945
Address
190 Route 17M, Suite D
Harriman
NY 10926
USA
Notes
New Day Films is a US-based, filmmaker-run, production and distribution company that has been providing award-winning films to educators since 1971. Democratically run by more than 100 filmmaker members, New Day delivers over 150 titles on social and political issues that illuminate, challenge and inspire. Topics include ageing, human rights, religion, law & criminal justice, etc. Sale on DVD, or online streaming via New Day Digital - http://www.newdaydigital.com/

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