THE MAD WRITER
by Karen Pecota

USA | 2022 Director: Zachary Kashkett

After accredited press screening of a festival film, the public relations agent representing that particular film often asks for quick feedback. I responded to the Slamdance film THE MAD WRITER like this, "Incredibly fascinating on several levels. A creative and well-made documentary from Zach, on his oldest and dearest friend, Austin (aka, L'Orange). Zach was right! Austin has a story to tell. It's a love story to the world of hip-hop production from an artist making music through adversities. Out of a life haunted by depression since childhood, and physical trauma as an adult, if one matures one can truly have a happily-ever-after."

The opening scene in THE MAD WRITER, a fascinating documentary from filmmaker Zachary Kashkett, begins with a tongue-and-cheek banter between two best friends, L'Orange and Zach, of whether such a documentary is worth the effort. Alone, sitting in a 1960’s style comfortable chair, facing the camera L'Orange says, "If I were to name this [film] it'd be L'ORANGE IS NOTHING AND ALSO A LOT. I'd summarize both my experiences as a person, as an artist and explain what a bad idea this documentary is for you [Zach] as a filmmaker, the person who invested money in this. This is not a good story." At the outset of this statement, I was hooked.

I screened the film with intensity. Tears or laughter surfaced from time to time, as I watched Zach carefully unveil L'Orange's remarkable story of resilience from unpredictable tragedy.

Zach recalls, "I first met L'Orange at a summer camp as a teenager. He was one of the strangest people I'd ever met. He was morose, and misanthropic, but so funny. I became fascinated by the way he saw the world. His views on his own depression, music and society in general, were so different than anyone else’s I knew. We became fast friends and that friendship continues twenty years later." Adding, “When I first approached L’Orange about making a documentary on his life, he told me it was the dumbest idea I’d ever had. I’m grateful he gave me the chance to prove him wrong.”

In spite of a resistance, L'Orange gave his blessing on one condition, recalls Zach, "His only request was that he has no creative involvement. He didn't want to see the film until I was finished with it." L'Orange trusted Zack. He knew that his story told would be honest, transparent and relatable.

Over a period of eight to nine years of filming, Zach and L'Orange, a Hip-Hop music phenom, journey together a road less traveled. Their path changes course the day L'Orange wakes up to blood running out of his ears that would not stop. Scared and perplexed he seeks medical attention. L'Oange has Cholesteatoma, a rare formulation of tumors in the ear canals. Left untreated risky, surgeries and severe balance and hearing loss are inevitable.

L'Orange's survival is a miracle and is described by many in the music industry alone as heroic. What he has accomplished is so difficult because of his disabilities. He's considered a true conquistador, and a master of his own story.