Straight on 'Til Mourning

_Shot on Sony FS7 Mk 1 _

“Straight On ‘Til Mourning” is a thrilling drama that delves into the devastating effects of grief and mental illness on a family, as seen through the eyes of young Henry. When Henry’s older brother Max disappears, his parents Jennifer and Frank are thrown into chaos. Jennifer falls into depression, while Frank becomes volatile and blames her for their loss. Meanwhile, Henry finds his parents behaviour perplexing as he seems to possess a gift, being able to see and communicate with Max. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Henry’s gift is more of a curse, as his mental health deteriorates and his reality blurs with fantasy. The film explores the origins and darkest depths of mental illness, and how it can affect a young child’s perception of the world around them. As Jennifer and Henry race to save each other, the line between what’s real and what’s not fades away, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats until the heart-wrenching conclusion. Jennifer and Henry must come to terms with their grief and find a way to move forward together, while Max fades into memory. The film ends with Jennifer holding Henry close as he falls asleep in her arms, and we see Max’s ghostly hand reaching up to touch her on the shoulder - leaving us with the question of whether it was a ghost or a manifestation all along. Through Henry’s eyes, “Straight On ‘Til Mourning” explores the darkest depths of the human psyche, as he struggles to come to terms with his loss of innocence and childhood, while his family’s grief takes on different forms.