Daytime Tiger

In this raw documentary, filmmaker Costa Botes turns his camera on poet and novelist Michael Morrissey, as he attempts to ride out the intense highs and crushing lows of manic depression (aka bipolar disorder). It's also a portrait of a relationship under immense pressure, as Morrissey's partner Ann tries to live alongside a man who has stopped his medication and believes he can "tame the tiger" through willpower. The film was made at Morrissey's invitation; like his 2011 memoir Taming the Tiger, it describes Morrissey's struggle to keep both his creativity and his sanity.

...I wasn't looking for a perfect person, but somebody reasonable you can live with, you know...you can get along with, you can grow old with.

– Michael Morrissey's wife Ann, on her hopes for her marriage

Key Cast & Crew

Costa Botes

Director, Camera, Editor, Producer, Sound Recordist

Michael Morrissey

Subject

Bernard Blackburn

Additional Sound Design

Harley Green

Composer

Phil Burton

Sound Design, Sound Mix

Tom McLeod

Composer