Dick Johnson Is Dead

Filmmaker Kirsten Johnson creates a wildly imaginative and deeply moving documentary about her aging father, Dick. To cope with his declining health and impending mortality, they stage elaborate, darkly comedic scenarios where he 'dies' in various inventive ways. The film blends humor and heartache as it explores themes of memory, legacy, and the enduring bond between parent and child.

Dick Johnson Is Dead was met with near-universal critical acclaim, praised for its unique blend of humor, pathos, and experimental filmmaking. Critics lauded Kirsten Johnson's innovative approach to a deeply personal subject, her father's charming performance, and the film's ability to tackle profound themes with both lightness and sincerity.

• A profoundly moving and inventive documentary that confronts mortality with humor and love.

• Kirsten Johnson's bold filmmaking style offers a unique perspective on aging and memory.

• Dick Johnson's charismatic presence anchors the film, making its emotional journey both authentic and engaging.

Google audience: Viewers found the film to be a touching and often hilarious exploration of a father-daughter relationship and the process of aging. Many appreciated the creative and unconventional approach to discussing death, finding it both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Innovation at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards.

The film's unique premise was partly inspired by Kirsten Johnson's father's own playful sense of humor and his desire to leave a memorable legacy, even in death.