In the past two years, through private donations, we have sponsored and introduced films with themes very relevant to psychoanalysis at the Cleveland International Film Festival.  This year we are sponsoring “Chronicle of My Mother,” a beautiful Japanese film about a writer's relationship with his ageing mother.  Directed by Masato Harada, the film is 118 minutes long.When I previewed the film I was moved by the family dynamics, the moments of loss, confusion and forgiveness. Again this year we ask for your donations. This is an opportunity to reach hundreds about our psychoanalytic mission and our CARES program.  You may make your donation to the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center anytime up to August 15, 2012.Here is the full write-up from the Festival guide, which is available at the Center.

Based on a poetic autobiographical novel by Yasushi Inoue, CHRONICLE OF MY MOTHER is a surprisingly uplifting film about a writer’s relationship with his aging mother. Told from the point of view of a domineering author called Kosaku, who heads a mostly female household, this gentle film features sun-washed hues that recall the changing seasons of the 50s and 60s. Kosaku is bitter with his mother for abandoning him upon her post-war emigration to Taiwan. His resentment colors his impatient treatment of her, but also serves as inspiration for his work: much to his family’s dismay, Kosaku’s best-selling novels prominently feature all of them. Kosaku’s youngest daughter Kotoko, an observant budding photographer whose aspirations Kosaku largely ignores, chronicles her father’s emotional journey, even as he struggles to write his own story. As Grandma’s dementia worsens, the family overcomes differences and draws together to help her. This loving film is a paean to generational ties and an ode to Yasujiro Ozu’s post-war family dramas. ( In Japanese with subtitles) –B.B.

Chronicle of My Mother will be shown on Friday, March 23 at 11:15 a.m. and Saturday, March 24 at 5:30 p.m.  There is a possibility that the film could be shown a third time later in the Festival.Films are shown at Tower City Cinemas.  Parking is FREE with parking pass validated in the theater lobby.Thank you,Carl F. Rak. Ph.D.