A stunning portrait of a musical and artistic genius who nearly slipped away. As an artist suffering from manic depression with delusions of grandeur, Daniel Johnston’s wild fluctuations, numerous downward spirals, and periodic respites are exposed in this deeply moving documentary. THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON artfully melds current footage, vintage performances, home movies, and dozens of recorded audio tapes from Daniel’s life. Testimony from supportive friends and a deeply committed family add a rich layer to his personal history, but it is Daniel’s poetic songs interwoven throughout the film, that tell their own passionate, haunting, and truly unforgettable story. Now in his mid 40s, Daniel Johnston has grown into a prolific visual artist. He has recorded over ten full length albums, and his supporters have included Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain, Matt Groening, The Butthole Suffers, Sonic Youth, David Bowie, Tom Waits, Beck, The Flaming Lips, and an ever-growing international cult audience.
