An historical reenactment of development of the death industry from the 1600s to the present day. The Ecstasy of Decay is two-part documentary film depicting the history and current state of the American funeral industry, created in collaboration with mortician Caitlin Doughty. Part two marks the start of my practice of combining reenactment with era-appropriate technology to simulate ”authentic” archival media.
Credits
Runtime: 7:26
Languages: English
HD Video, Stereo, Color
Languages: English
HD Video, Stereo, Color
Directed, Filmed, Edited by Angeline Gragasin
Written by Caitlin Doughty
Featuring
Mara Zehler
Caitlin Doughty
Jonathon Anthony
Jean Luc Dushime
Matthew Montgomery
Alex MacKenzie
Gray Chu
Lisa Royère
Kelly Royère
Music Sources
"Cleare" by Aria Rostami
"Short Work for Harpsichord" by This Cloud Boy
"For Harpsichord, Trumpet, & Organ" by This Cloud Boy
Filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA in 2011
Commissioned for The Order of the Good Death
Written by Caitlin Doughty
Featuring
Mara Zehler
Caitlin Doughty
Jonathon Anthony
Jean Luc Dushime
Matthew Montgomery
Alex MacKenzie
Gray Chu
Lisa Royère
Kelly Royère
Music Sources
"Cleare" by Aria Rostami
"Short Work for Harpsichord" by This Cloud Boy
"For Harpsichord, Trumpet, & Organ" by This Cloud Boy
Filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA in 2011
Commissioned for The Order of the Good Death
Screenings
2023
The Wexner Center for the Arts, Columbus, Ohio
2011
Finalist, Smashbox Studios Face/Off Photo & Video Competition, Los Angeles
Don't You Have Docs? Film Festival, Melbourne, Australia
Don't You Have Docs? Film Festival, Melbourne, Australia
