Synopsis

A young woman named Anne interviews her enigmatic grandmother Mary, who raised 11 children while suffering from a severe mental illness. In light of her own experience with anxiety, Anne is hoping to learn more. Set in either present day... or maybe 1989, Thereby Hangs a Tale uses non-linear storytelling to examine the unreliable nature of memory and oral history. This earnest conversation quickly unfolds into a sentimental yet surreal journey of self-discovery. Anne's childhood memories appear as fragmented flashbacks and a whimsical animated photo collage. Discussing her grandmother's struggle leads Anne to have a panic attack. To soothe herself, Anne escapes into happy childhood memories. This wistful and nostalgic narrative confronts women's mental health and generational trauma through an intimate personal story. Anne realizes that her grandmother is more than a tragic figure, and that her memories are not a frustrating puzzle, but actually a joyous gift.