Boy Interrupted

About Boy Interrupted

Boy Interrupted is a 2009 American documentary film produced and directed by Dana Heinz Perry, revolving around her son Evan Scott Perry. The film chronicles Evan's struggle with bipolar disorder and suicide. Born on December 21, 1985, Evan was a child of promise, showing signs of creative genius at early age. However, underlying his prodigy was a struggle with bipolar disorder, a battle that eventually consumed him when he died by suicide at the age of 15.

Making/Production

Dana Heinz Perry and her husband, Hart Perry, were the driving forces behind the production of the movie. As filmmakers, they had an array of footage, family photos, and interviews to piece together the story. The film used a mixed media approach combining home videos, family photographs and animation to paint a picture of Evan's journey.

Actors

• Dana Heinz Perry: She didn't only direct and produce the movie but also appears in the documentary providing narration and personal insights into the life and challenges of Evan.
• Hart Perry: As Evan's father he played a substantial role in the documentary, providing firsthand accounts of his son's struggles.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The film was originally released on HBO.
• Boy Interrupted was granted the 2010 Prism Award for Best Documentary Program—Mental Health.

Quotes

• "Life is a beautiful thing and we need to treasure it, not throw it away" - Evan Perry
• "He was 15 and he had everything he wanted but he didn’t want to live" - Dana Heinz Perry

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's melancholic soundtrack complements its deeply emotional subject matter, with contributors including the legendary Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Angelo Badalamenti, perhaps best known for his collaboration with David Lynch.

Awards

Boy Interrupted was awarded the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for its strong, emotional and clear-eyed telling of Evan Perry's story.