A Prayer for Nettie 1995
A Prayer for Nettie (1995) is a haunting short film by director Donigan Cumming that reflects on loss, memory, and the fragility of human connection through the lens of Nettie Harris's life.
Director: Donigan Cumming
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Prayer for Nettie (1995) about?
This 33-minute experimental film explores the final days of Nettie Harris, a woman who posed for the director over a decade. Through improvised memorials and prayers, the project questions how we remember those who've passed, blending tenderness with unsettling realism.
Who directed A Prayer for Nettie?
The film was directed by Donigan Cumming, a visual artist known for his provocative documentary-style work that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
Who stars in A Prayer for Nettie?
The cast includes Donigan Cumming, Geoffrey Bates, Gerald Harvey, Nelson Coombs, Joyce Donnison, and Nettie Harris herself, whose presence lingers through archival and recreated scenes.
Is A Prayer for Nettie (1995) worth watching?
For fans of experimental and avant-garde cinema, A Prayer for Nettie (1995) offers a deeply personal and unconventional take on documentary filmmaking. Its short runtime and bold themes make it a thought-provoking experience, though its niche appeal may not satisfy mainstream audiences.
How long is A Prayer for Nettie?
The film runs for 33 minutes, making it a concise yet impactful viewing experience.
About A Prayer for Nettie (1995) — A raw, poetic short film about loss and memory
A Prayer for Nettie (1995) is a haunting short film by director Donigan Cumming that reflects on loss, memory, and the fragility of human connection through the lens of Nettie Harris's life. Shot between 1982 and 1993, the documentary blends improvised memorials and fervent prayers from those who knew her—some intimately, others distantly—creating an atmosphere where tenderness and brutality coexist. The camera's presence looms large, exposing the tension between devotion and indifference, as the film's raw, absurdist edge challenges viewers to question what we truly remember or honor about a person.
Crafted in the tradition of the grotesque and the absurd, A Prayer for Nettie (1995) avoids traditional narratives, instead weaving a mosaic of fragmented tributes and uneasy silence. The prayers recited by the cast become both a celebration and a critique, their sincerity undercut by forgetfulness and the weight of time. The result is a poignant, unsettling meditation on legacy, where every moment feels charged with the weight of what's lost and what remains.