Alma

Alma Thorpe's bizarre views on sexuality, motherhood, God and mail-order sweepstakes, make her a living breathing shrine to Southern Gothic. In this intimate and darkly humorous film, director Ruth Leitman (Lipstick & Dynamite, Wildwood, NJ.) follows Alma's daughter Margie's struggle with a mentally ill mother and an abusive alcoholic father. Framed by accusations of incest, ALMA is an unflinching examination of family secrets and pain tangled up in love. "A potently personal and raw portrait of a part of America that is too often reduced to simple stereotypes. Ruth Leitman has made a film that's utterly true to her unique vision." Steve James Director -Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters, Life Itself. “COMPELLING… ALMA BEARS WITNESS TO A SITUATION FOR WHICH THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS”. Amy Taubin, The Village Voice, Sept. 22nd, 2000. “ENTHRALLING, DARKLY FUNNY, HORIFFYING AND HOPEFUL”. Maitland Mc Donagh, TV GUIDE On-line, Sept. 22nd, 2000. “THE DOCUMENTARY EQUIVALENT OF THE SOUTHERN GOTHIC NOVEL”. Jonathan Foreman, The New York Post, Sept. 22nd 2000. “A SEARING, SURPRISINGLY FUNNY, BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED FAMILY MELODRAMA”. Felicia Feaster, Creative Loafing, Oct. 23rd 1999. “ A PIECE OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING SO POWERFUL, IT’S HARD TO THINK OF ANY FICTIONAL FILM TO RIVAL IT IN EMOTIONAL IMPACT”. Malene Arpe, Eye, April 29th 1999 Toronto, Ontario “HILARIOUS AND HORRIFYING”, Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Feb. 22nd 1998 “NO BETTER EXAMPLE OF THE EMOTIONAL STRIDES DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING HAS MADE IN THE PAST DECADE IS RUTH LEITMAN’S ALMA.” ART PAPERS, Sept./Oct 1998 “IT’S AN EXPLORATION BY THE AUDIENCE, THE FILMMAKER AND THE SUBJECTS THEMSELVES OF A KIND YOU’VE NEVER QUITE SEEN IN A DOCUMENTARY BEFORE”. Jerry Johnson, The Austin Chronicle, March 13th 1998.