Big Fish - ACE404.3

Photographs of the family in Mexico. Film-maker VO describes some of his experiences. Cock-fighting. José. Children at night-time celebrations, breaking up a huge papier-maché fish to get at the sweets that fill it. VO and José talk about how he found out the truth about his father’s death, killed by a jealous husband. José watching over a coffin. Talks over about the mental breakdown caused by this revelation. Film of him painting. Film-maker’s VO talking about his father’s physical and mental disintegration. José swimming, sitting in the rain. Police photographs. Prison. Film-maker’s VO talks about his father’s diagnosis of acute paranoid schizophrenia. Montage of footage of José in London; film-maker’s VO describes him talking about "being followed by the Post Office Tower". José jumps into a canal. Emerges from the sea. Some of José’s paintings. Film-maker VO says that people are "close to the edge" much of the time. Young José in cemetery; old José watching. José painting; the London house he’s depicting. Other paintings of house, people, garden, animals, etc. José talks about his work. Painting over a photograph of himself and his family. José with film-maker’s young brothers, playing in a paddling pool. Barbecuing a fish. Film-maker’s VO talking about family relationships, the pain of their memories of José’s madness, and how their lives are enriched by his presence. José painting and talking about the importance of family. Family photo/film which José leaves. Film-maker VO talks about everyone trying to find their own space. José swimming. Credits.