Return to: ATA Film & Video Festival 2008: Program 1

Vivid Dreams

After years of yearning to go to Africa, Joan’s three-month stint as a Peace Corps volunteer turns sour on Christmas Eve when she is 'psychevac'd' back to the states and admitted to Georgetown Hospital mental ward. The drug required by the Peace Corps to be taken as a protection against malaria is said to cause only vivid dreams, but no one mentions the other side effects of psychotic tendencies, including suicide and murder.

Questions with Jim Granato

Elizabeth Wing: Can you tell me how you came to hear Joan's story?

Jim Granato: Well, Joan and I dated and then called it off when she joined the Peace Corps. I had heard about all that happened right after she returned suddenly from Togo, West Africa, where she was living. More than ten years later (we're happily married now) we decided to make a very short film about her experience.

EW: One thing that struck me about the film was that although the narrative was presented as a documentary, it had a fictional feel -- perhaps because of the mystery underlying Mefloquine's effects. I'd like to hear if that fictional feel was a structural intent.

JG: Yeah, sort of. My intent was to create a structure that has a dream-like feel to it. Some dreams are based on fiction, and some aren't. Joan kept a journal at that time and it contains some incredible insight to what she was going through. Some of the narration you hear came directly off the page, actual entries from that old journal. Joan wrote the rest of it as straight-forward narration to bridge the scenes together. As far as the imagery was concerned I only had a few pictures and some medical paperwork to work with. So, I decided to interpret the actual events we chose to include by stylizing each shot as if they were moments from a dream or many dreams. I guess I could say I was inspired by some fiction films while I was shooting, yet everything presented here really happened.

EW: Have you learned anything more about Mefloquine since the film's release (other testimonies, other stories)?

JG: Mefloquine is still available on the market I believe, although I've heard the Peace Corps and the Army don't issue it anymore. Of course those organizations aren't talking about hundreds of people have been affected by this drug. Some not so serious and yet some have lost their lives. Most reports in the media are vague but hopefully this little film will create discussion and raise some awareness.

Jim Granato has directed and produced several short films and music videos. He has worked on many independent feature, documentary and television productions. Some of these recent films include: "The Real Dirt on Farmer John" (2005), "Audience of One" (2007), "Revolution Summer" (2007) and "Some Assembly Required" (2008).

He is currently making his first feature documentary about a musician balancing his career with his band whose popularity is soaring while dealing with his failing kidney.

Last updated 09/22/2008.