Review of The Society for the Protection of Unwanted Objects

I'd seen this film before, about my friend and fellow Red Band member James Castle, but it was different watching it with an audience...last time I'd watched it at home via Vimeo. It's nominally about his business, the eponymous Society for the Protection of Unwanted Objects, though really it's about him, and his hoarding addiction, and what it has done to his relationships, especially with his former partner Karen. 

The film is as charming and funny as James is, but it's also sad, watching someone destroy their relationships and damage themselves as a result of what really is an addiction. James (who I really love dearly) has all the characteristics of a fully-fledged addict, including denial and bargaining, and subterfuge. The moment when he says "I only have two cars - two Audis and two Alpha Romeos" is both hilarious and tragic, because at the moment he says it he really does believe it.

A genius film, only 30 minutes long, but really worth watching. You can see it online here, but we got more out of watching it at Stroud Film Festival.