Library of Dust

Beautiful, touching film about the thousands of Oregon State Hospital forgotten copper urns containing cremated human ashes. With time each one of those copper urns corroded as a unique and beautiful art piece revealing the essence of the remains of these forgotten souls. The photographs of the corroded copper urns used in the film have a strong moving impact to bring the life of those forgotten human beings to the present time with an incredible force of natural effect. After seeing this film, some families went to reclaim their forgotten one that was not forgotten after all. This film was their reminder. The statistics were very impressive. This documentary flows like a poem dedicated to the forgotten human beings who have been admitted, then left and abandoned in State Hospitals and sometimes quite unjustly. It intrinsically touches our own humanity.

The "One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest" famous mental hospital had a detached room outback with 3600 human cremated remains, dating back to 1936? Film directors Robert James and Ondi Timoner, along with famous photo journalist Mary Ellen Mark and others, document the discovery and the haunting true story of unclaimed ashes and crystallized copper canisters; remains of mostly normally depressed people with no known close relative. (known back then) Go behind the scenes with people that discover and pick up their long lost or unknown relative. Could any of these 1000's of remains be related to you? Check out the LONG list at the end of this well made, short documentary. Unbelievable but true, and at just under 20 minutes, a truly powerful story, and what has happened since the story broke, is astonishing in of itself. Timoner and James hit a bullseye, and hit your heart along the way! A must see.

Captivating and heart wrenching is this brilliant tale showcasing the fragility and uniqueness of our human existence.

I am in awe of this film and the way in which this story was told. A very different perspective regarding institutionalized life than I've ever been exposed to or even considered. It is a difficult and sensitive topic that was indeed given the tender respect deserved to all concerned. You could feel the effect this story had on the film makers as well as those interviewed; leaving me quite emotional at times.

I would consider this a must see film that will stimulate deep and meaningful conversations across the generations. I will be watching this with my 12 and 14 year old granddaughters, and I think even younger kids would be enthralled by the messages in this film.

It also makes a great gift to share with others - a true hidden treasure in the growing sea of great documentaries.