Must Read After My Death

In the beginning, the filmmaker Morgan Dews introduces his grandmother, Allis. Through intimate recollections, he establishes the profound connection they shared, which served as a foundation for the exploration of her life.

After Allis's passing in 2001, Dews discovers a remarkable collection of personal artifacts that she curated. This archive includes audio recordings, home movies, photographs, and journals that reveal the complexities of her family's life during the 1960s.

The family lives in Hartford, Connecticut, where Allis and her husband Charley raise their four children. Their home becomes a focal point for the unfolding family narrative that Dews seeks to capture.

Charley's job requires him to spend four months each year in Australia, creating a strain on the family dynamic. To cope with this separation, Allis turns to Dictaphone recorders as a means to maintain their communication and connection.

As a modern woman, Allis battles against the traditional expectations of her role as a wife and mother. The recordings serve as a therapeutic outlet for her, allowing her to express her frustrations and challenges.

The family seeks help from psychologists and psychiatrists, reflecting their need for support amidst escalating turmoil. These sessions reveal the depth of their emotional struggles and the deteriorating mental health of members within the family.

As the family engages with therapy, the recordings become progressively darker and more desperate. This shift highlights the increasing emotional strain faced by Allis and her children as they navigate their complex realities.

Dews juxtaposes home movies against serene images of typical American life, creating a stark contrast. This visual narrative enhances the emotional impact of the story, revealing the hidden struggles behind the facade of normalcy.

Throughout the recordings, Allis emerges as a figure embodying resilience and strength. Her journey sheds light on the complexities of womanhood during a time of societal change and personal adversity.

The archive that Allis created serves as a legacy of her experiences and struggles. It offers a raw and candid insight into her life and the lives of her family members, preserving their story for future generations.

As Dews reflects on the turbulent period of the 1960s, he parallels his grandmother's story with the broader changes occurring in America. This context provides viewers with a deeper understanding of the societal pressures Allis faced.

Throughout the documentary, the strength of the family bonds is a recurring theme. Despite the struggles and emotional turmoil, the connection between Allis and her children highlights the importance of support and love in overcoming challenges.

Dews culminates his exploration with a powerful family portrait, weaving together the personal footage and recordings. The result is a poignant documentary that honors Allis's life and the legacy she left behind.

The final message of the documentary speaks to the resilience of families in the face of adversity. It leaves viewers with a sense of hope and understanding of the complexities that define familial relationships.