John Henry Timmis IV
Directing
Biography
John Henry Timmis IV, the son of a wealthy family from Chicago's northern suburbs, was diagnosed a psychopath after a string of rebellious misdemeanors as a teenager--possession of marijuana, prostitution, and theft. Timmis frequented the Menninger Clinic between the ages of 15 and 17. He repeatedly ran away and got recaptured, was held in solitary for extended periods, and forced to endure excruciatingly dull group therapy sessions. He recounts these experiences with adolescent braggadocio, blurring intensely personal confessions and exaggerated fantasies, in hopes of mythologizing himself and claiming a spot in the canon of rebellious youth. Later in life, as JTIV, Timmis recorded sincere autobiographical songs in a style he deemed "Destructo-Rock," and was acknowledged in The Guinness Book of World Records for creating the longest film ever made, The Cure for Insomnia. He passed away in 2002, leaving us his songs, the film, and this document to piece together his wild and bizarre story.
Known For
Heavy metal band Insane Albino and their Manson-like leader go on an LSD-soaked cannibal rampage in Chicago.
Cannibal Orgy
It’s the year 1990. America is on the verge of another Great Depression. A Hitler-like President puts into action his mad scheme to wipe out the federal deficit by dispatching extermination squads. Can the terribly violent genocide be stopped before all non-conformists are destroyed?
Nightmare City
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
In the Can
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Killer Shredding
Experimental film directed by John Henry Timmis IV, which was, according to Guinness World Records, the longest running film. At 5,220 minutes long (87 hours, or 3 days and 15 hours) in length, the film has no plot, instead consisting of artist L. D. Groban reading his 4,080-page poem A Cure for Insomnia over the course of three and a half days, spliced with occasional clips from heavy metal and pornographic videos. It was first played in its entirety at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Illinois), from January 31 to February 3, 1987, in one continuous showing. It has not been released on DVD or other home video formats and all known copies are considered to be lost, with only 85 seconds of the film being available.
The Cure for Insomnia
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Song For Suzanne
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
I Love You
A compilation of J.T.’s films, “live” performance footage and home movies which was included in Drag City’s 2008 reissue of the J.T. IV album Cosmic Lightning, originally released in 1987.
Cosmic Lightning
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Sunday Morning
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Reel to Reel Footage
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Destructo Disk
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV
Every Day Dream Home A Headache
A short film by John Henry Timmis IV