Mr. Nobody
This short documentary tells the story of Jack Huggins, a 65-year-old man who was removed from his home and certified incompetent when he failed to comply with a Health Department order to clean up his living quarters. Jack felt that he was being treated "like Mr. Nobody. Just Mr. Nobody out on the street." Do mentally competent elders have the right to neglect themselves? Does the state have an obligation to intervene?
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This short documentary tells the story of Jack Huggins, a 65-year-old man who was removed from his home and certified incompetent when he failed to comply with a Health Department order to clean up his living quarters. Jack felt that he was being treated "like Mr. Nobody. Just Mr. Nobody out on the street." Do mentally competent elders have the right to neglect themselves? Does the state have an obligation to intervene?
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directorLyn Wright
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scriptLyn Wright
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producerSilva Basmajian
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executive producerJohn Spotton
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cinematographyJohn Walker
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soundRoss Redfern
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editingLeslie Borden Brown
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sound editingGary Oppenheimer
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re-recordingDavid Appleby
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narratorTedde Moore
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musicRandolph Peters
Warning (if any): Some language, depictions of diseased/infected flesh.
Brief “lesson launcher type” activity or a series of inquiry questions with a bit of context:
Documentary profiling Jack Huggins, who, in his older age, is reclusive and lives alone with many cats.
Why are there stereotypes surrounding people who live with many cats? Where did this stereotype first originate? Research the history of cats as domestic companions.
Nowadays, there are many TV shows that profile people who live with many items or animals, typically called hoarders. When do local governments have the right to intervene in these cases?
Jack is deemed mentally competent. Should the local government have the right to take control of his finances? Why or why not?
Jack has a powerful relationship with his cats. How do our relationships with animals affect our mental health?
