In a Dream (2008) User Reviews

A Remarkably Personal Documentary

[JustCuriosity · 9/10 · 11 March 2008]

The beautiful film, In A Dream, had its World Premiere this week at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX. Most of the time documentary film makers tell other people's stories. They tell stories that they may care about, but not ones that go to the core their personal lives. Jeremiah Zagar has made this film that reveals some of the most painful stories of his father, the artist Isaiah Zagar, his mother, Julia, and his brother, Zeke. He spent years filming his own family and now presents their agonizing and painful story for the world to see. He doesn't run away from issues of infidelity, mental illness, molestation, and addiction that most people would prefer to keep secret. Instead, he presents all of these struggles to the world to see in a way that is honest, personal, and often difficult to watch.

He also presents his father's beautiful mosaic artwork for the world to see. His father is truly a great artist and his work and the price that his family has paid for him to do his work is truly remarkable. This is certainly a film that will fascinate those who love art, but one can be an artistic ignoramus - like this writer - and still be overpowered by the story of Zagar family and the beauty of Isaiah's artwork. As much as this film is the story of an artist, it is also the story of power of family to face and overcome difficult challenges and survive. It is an example of the idea that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

The family's presence at the SXSW showing was also an honor since it was clear how much they supported the project as painful as it must have been to see some of it laid bare for the world to see. It was beautiful to hear Isaiah congratulate his son, Jeremy, from one artist to another.

I hope this film gets some distribution to a wider audience since a lot of people will be moved by the story of the Zagar family.

Falls between 2 Horses

[accountcrapper · 7/10 · 3 January 2010]

This is a good film about the directors father who is a half mad folk artist and his family. For me it fell between 2 horses. We did not get to see enough of his art or rather we did not get to see enough of the development of his art. It shows the daily journals but not so much what is in them. Also you never really get a feel for exactly how much work the father has created. A short segment going from building to building, enumerating the work or putting a timeline to the process. Even highlighting elements in the mosaics as chronological portrayals of particular family moments. I would have liked to have seen him sourcing his materials or some discussion on the materials he has used or tried but that did not happen. The art is one horses in this film.

The second horse is the family drama that arises from a father who is a bit mad and the effect it has on his family. The stresses and strains of dealing with relationships in everyday life. For me this did not hit the mark either as there was not enough of an examination into it as if the director (son) was a little reticent to ask difficult and probing questions. So it is a picture postcard from a family with problems rather than an examination or drama.

A good film that for me fell between 2 horses and did not completely satisfy on either front. Still a brave thing for a son to do, there are very few films like this and I very much enjoyed the fathers work.

In a Dream, what a dream it is...

[leegaccmovies · 10/10 · 30 March 2009]

This is an excellent visual documentary about a flawed family trying to make it work. Isaiah Zagar is an artist who suffers from a mental disorder, and his son documents his life, from his early childhood to his current lifestyle. He is kind, artistically brilliant, and yet emotionally troubled. His wife loves him, his older son is trying to start his own family, and his youngest son records it all. Each one tells their own story. We see them go through the good times and the bad. Speaking of good, Zagar's art is AMAZING. I wish I lived in Philadelphia to see it.

All in all, a touching tribute to a family that makes you reflect on your own.

Dreamy film

[mefilteau · 10/10 · 12 February 2009]

'In A Dream" is a visually beautiful and emotional documentary about the Zagar family. Jeremiah Zagar does an excellent job separating himself from the subject, his family, without feeling detached. He objectively observes the disintegration of his parent's relationship withholding judgments or blame but at the same time his touch is intimate and caring. "In A Dream" brings the viewer a prospective on the Zagars only a family member could have. Isaiah Zagar is a fascinating man and character, wonderfully creative, endearingly funny, and tragically disturbed. He easily wins the hearts of the audience. Perhaps, though not as well as his beautifully strong and empowered wife Julia, who seems to be the nucleus of reality in Zagar's space world. The music in the film is excellent. The Books contribute some awesome tracks. Jeremiah uses the camera deftly to capture is father's stunning mosaics, which tell the story of the family. "In A Dream" maybe visually beautiful but it is the humanity in the film that is truly beautiful.

An Excellent Movie

[cox-john10 · 10/10 · 31 March 2009]

Previous posts have already covered why this movie is so amazing. I just wanted to let anyone interested know that this documentary is playing in New York, NY on April 10-16 for those in the area. Don't miss it!

Over the past four decades, Isaiah Zagar has covered more than 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia with stunning mosaic murals. In A Dream is a documentary feature film that chronicles his work and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Julia. It follows the Zagars as their marriage implodes and a harrowing new chapter in their life unfolds.

Another thing I noticed about this film was the music. Efterklang is the band that Mr. Zagar chose to use, and they were an excellent choice. This is what he had to say about them: "I found Efterklang while searching online for ambient music about three years ago and after putting their music in the film I knew right away it would have to stay. In fact, the scene in which Kloy Gyn appears is still my producer Jeremy's favorite in the whole film."