Doc A Day # 3 : The Woodmans (2010)

The Woodmans (C.Scott Willis) is the examination of how a family of artists deal with the suicide of their daughter Francesca at the age of 22. George and Betty, Francesca's parents interviews make up the bulk of the film, with a few words (not enough , frankly) from her video artist brother, Charles. The remainder are Francesca's ghostly black and white photos, often of herself. These along with her downward spiral journal notes run as a second movie almost, the one in which her parents seem somewhat detached and dumbfounded by her suicide, Francesca flung herself from a window in New York. To be fair, as a parent, I don't know how one deals with a child, no mater how "adult" she was, deciding she wanted no more of this world. Like most creative people, Francesca dealt with her inner demons through her art. Exposing herself, physically and emotionally, through her photos. And despite a long list of admirers and appreciators of her art and spirit, no one seemed to be around for her in the end. Least of all George and Betty, both seemingly consumed with their art. But not in the "throwing myself into my art to deal with my child's death" kind of way. Maybe its not wanting to be open about the tragedy or their own parental failings, which is understandably. But they both seem to be "promoting" themselves more than anything. George has even begun photographing young, often nude, women, mirroring his late daughter's work. A way to keep her memory close maybe? It doesn't seem like it. It seems almost as if they have decided that all art is born from tragedy and Francesca's death was a product of it. Her greatest success coming after her death, her photos selling for thousands. Willis does an excellent job letting the family and friends of the lost artist just speak, and in letting Francesca's words and art speak for her as a counterpoint. His choices of quiet and darkness are well placed, and well timed in between the interviews with family and friends. The ultimate sadness is that had Francesca lived, her art may not have become so popular, and her parents not as notable. One wonders if her parents would have noticed either way. Well made and touching, worth seeking out via Netflix and other streaming services.