The Grandmother (1970)

In the heart-wrenching landscape of a young boy's troubled existence, where his parents are more monstrous than caring, emerges a glimmer of hope and a desperate quest for a happier life. This boy, a preteen of vivid imagination and resilience, is shackled with the burdens of an abusive father and an indifferent mother, lost in her own clouded stupor. His battles are not limited to the waking world; even slumber betrays him with a recurring problem of bed-wetting, adding to his mounting issues. One fateful day, the boy stumbles upon a bag of seeds in a forsaken room, an unexpected treasure that beckons him toward a chance at transformation. In an act that is as symbolic as it is hopeful, he plants one of these seeds in soil, carefully placed in the heart of a barren bed. This bed, once a symbol of his nightly embarrassment, becomes the cradle for his burgeoning dream. As he nurtures the plant with an unwavering determination, something extraordinary occurs. What sprouts from the plant isn't a mere botanical marvel but a manifestation of his deepest desires - a grandmother. A figure radiant with love and approval, a stark contrast to his grim reality. However, life with his parents continues its testing course, and his imagination remains his only refuge. As the line between the natural and the surreal blurs, he must navigate the complexities of life and death. Will the comforting presence of a smiling grandmother be enough to guide him through the labyrinth of his existence? This is a poignant tale of a boy's journey towards finding solace in a world that seems to offer none.

The Grandmother is an animation movie featuring Dorothy McGinnis.

The Grandmother is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.