Tribeca Short Film Program: Library of Dust
by Karen Pecota

Filmmakers Robert James and Ondi Timoner document the horrific story about an uncanny discovery found at the Oregon State Hospital in 2004.

The Oregon State Hospital was under heavy scrutiny for years. Several accusations were in regard to the institutions grounds being despicable. There was cause for concern that the hospital management regularly engaged in questionable practices.

During an investigation process a storeroom was found that housed thousands of corroded copper urns dating back to the late 1800s. The findings revealed that the urns stored cremated remains of once psychiatric patients. Their remains were never claimed. The inconceivable discovery is daunting surrounded by too many unanswered questions.