Photos+Video
Alien Boy
2013 documentary about the life and death of MLC alumnus James Chasse
THIS DOCUMENTARY FILM, fully titled Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse, is a feature-length work directed by Brian Lindstrom, released in 2013, that explores issues of police accountability in the case of Chasse, who had schizophrenia and who was killed by Portland police officers in 2006.
The title refers to the song about him by The Wipers, written and released in 1980, inspired by what songwriter Greg Sage called Chasse's "conversations with me and his powerful sense of vision." The lyrics possibly draw on Chasse's own words, according to fellow MLC alumnus Geoff Seaman, who helped fund the film and shares an executive producer credit.
Chasse, known as Jim Jim, had been quite a well-loved MLC student—as described in the film by founding teacher Betty Mayther, in scenes shot at our school.
The trial of the officers who killed Chasse helped bring about changes in local police response to mental health crises. Additional information and numerous references can be found in the film's Wikipedia entry and on its official website.
If you have recollections about Chasse, you are invited to share them.