Award-winning Documentary Screens Next Week, MS Society UK

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 11 Feb 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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On 17 February the award-winning documentary Here's Johnny, which highlights the battle against multiple sclerosis (MS) of artist Johnny Hicklenton, will be screened on More4.

The film enters the surreal world of the acclaimed graphic novel artist and follows his journey living with MS - escaping the confines of his condition through his artwork.

Independent production company Animal Monday followed Johnny for more than five years, racking up hundreds of hours of footage, which has been distilled into the one hour documentary to be screened on Tuesday (17 February).

The film gives a raw and sometimes upsetting account of Johnny's life with MS through the expression of his imagination, allowing viewers an insight into a condition from which he cannot escape.

Often dark graphic works conceptualise what Johnny himself describes as a war that he is waging against MS - with images depicting feelings of anger and aggression.

"Drawing is my walking now," Johnny says. "I can't wait to get a piece of paper and a pen now because I'm in control. I haven't got MS when you're looking at my pictures, in fact I haven't got it when I'm drawing them either.

"It gives me the ability to express fear - the stuff that I do is aggressive art. I think all the aggression is coming out of the fear.

"I was doing it before when I was well but the characters are now representing a different mindset."

Here's Johnny was launched at the Science Museum in January 2008 and premiered at the South by South West film festival in March 2008. The film then went on to win two prestigious Grierson Awards in November 2008.

Winning both the 'Best Arts Documentary' and 'Best Newcomer' awards, Here's Johnny is the first film ever to win two awards in the Griersons' 36 year history.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, said: "Here's Johnny is a raw account of one person's fight against MS. Johnny's case is extreme and, while it may not be everyone's experience, shows MS as the truly devastating condition it can be."

Here's Johnny, Tuesday 17 February, 10pm, More4.

MS Society

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