Canadian director Nelson explores family's Alzheimer's journey in animated dark comedy "Tangles"

Canadian director Leah Nelson drew inspiration from her family's experience with Alzheimer's when creating "Tangles," an animated dark comedy that interweaves sorrow, humor, and love amid fading memory. The hand-drawn, black-and-white film, Nelson's feature debut and adaptation of Sarah Leavitt's graphic-novel memoir, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival following its Cannes debut.

Nelson first encountered Leavitt's memoir about a decade ago, as her own family battled dementia. The narrative offered her "permission to laugh" amidst a challenging period in her life. The film follows Leavitt's character, navigating a life of her own with a burgeoning career and a new relationship, when her mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis disrupts her world.

Nelson utilized dark comedy to depict the reality that humor and heartbreak frequently coexist, even in life's most challenging moments. She explained that dark comedy's versatility allows for both emotionally heavy and humorous scenes, creating a balanced tone. The animation medium proved ideal for exploring the complexities of dementia and family dynamics by delving into characters' psyches.

A star-studded voice cast, including Abbi Jacobson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, and Seth Rogen, brought the characters to life. Unlike many animation projects, some actors recorded together on set, fostering natural and organic family dynamics. Actress Jacobson, whose grandmother had Alzheimer's, felt a heightened responsibility to honor the story's gravity.

Nelson expressed hope that caregivers, both family members and professionals, would find solace and recognition in the film, feeling less isolated in their experiences.