51 Birch Street

Aroview: Filmmaker Doug Block goes looking for skeletons in his parents’ closet following the sudden death of his mother, and the unexpected remarriage of his father to a former secretary.

Perplexed, Block sets about uncovering his family history and the well concealed past of a 50-year 'happy' marriage, fashioning an engaging mystery augmented by sleuth-like editing and a who-dunnit sense of intrigue. As the various leads run their course, the investigation stumbles upon a series of twists that pack an emotional wallop for both documentarian and viewer – indeed, Block’s journey-as-catharsis hits hard both as a personal therapy, and a sign of caution at delving into the secret lives of others.

NZ International Film Festival 2006

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