Again, never again: an investigation into the limits of anachronic sequencing

Abstract

Again, Never Again is a story about the experiences of Mark, a 21 year-old LSD addict, and the struggles he and his girlfriend Kassandra face in regards to his addiction. Despite the detrimental effects his addiction has on them, the two continuously work both to retain some level of functionality to their relationship as well as the outward appearance of normalcy. However; these attempts are misguided as Mark is ultimately unable to control his temptations causing him to break his promises with Kassandra that serve as the foundation of their continued romance. This problem is compounded by the fact that Kassandra cannot bring herself to permanently cut ties with Mark despite his repeated relapses. Thus, it is through her forgiveness and desire to help him, Kassandra unwittingly becomes his enabler, and the two trap themselves in an abusive cycle of pain, betrayal, and heartbreak. The story of Again, Never Againis told from the perspective of Mark as he lives through each scene during one of his acid trips. The journey of a character lost in their own memories and hallucinations creates the foundation for the story structure that is the question of this creative experiment: can a story be told when the audience is deprived of any anchor for linear time? Can a film still accomplish its goals despite leaving the audience completely unaware when each scene occurs in chronological relation to the others?