Watch Library of Dust

Library of Dust is a documentary film directed by Ondi Timoner which follows the story of the Oregon State Hospital, a mental asylum that has been housing patients since 1883. The movie is based on an exhibit of the same name, which features a collection of copper canisters that have been found in the hospital's basement. The canisters in question contain the cremated remains of patients who died at the hospital between 1913 and the 1970s. As the hospital ran out of space to store these urns, they were simply left in the basement to collect dust. It wasn't until photographer David Maisel stumbled upon the collection that the public became aware of its existence.

The film delves into the history of the hospital and the patients who were brought there. We learn about the overcrowding that led to patients being housed in subhuman conditions, as well as the treatment methods that were commonly used during that time, which included shock therapy, lobotomies, and straitjackets.

The documentary also explores the practice of cremation as it relates to mental health patients. Often, these patients were seen as societal outcasts, and their bodies were often left unclaimed. As a result, cremation was the most expedient and economical way to dispose of their remains. However, the practice of cremation also raises ethical questions about how we treat the bodies of vulnerable individuals, and whether or not we are doing enough to remember them.

One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is the way it sheds light on the creative process of artist and photographer, David Maisel, who created the Library of Dust exhibit. Maisel's initial encounter with the canisters was one of shock and distress. However, he soon realized that the canisters themselves were beautiful objects that told a story. Maisel's photographs capture the unique and intricate design of each urn and the way that the copper has oxidized over time.

The film also touches on the hospital's attempts to give the cremains a proper burial. After a long legal battle, the urns were ultimately interred in a cemetery in a ceremony attended by family members of the deceased, hospital staff and community members.

The emotional and ethical themes of the movie are delicately explored through interviews with staff members of the hospital who have taken care of patients throughout the years. They reflect on the significance of the collection and how it serves as a powerful reminder of the people who were once forgotten by society. There are also interviews with family members of the deceased who describe how the discovery of the collection has impacted their lives.

Library of Dust is a moving and thought-provoking film that addresses the themes of memory, legacy, history and the importance of remembering those who have been marginalized by society. It is a poignant reminder of the human cost of confinement, and a call to action to move away from a system that dehumanizes individuals with mental illness.

Library of Dust is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.