 Chronic is an experimental narrative which explores the life of Gretchen, a woman who began using self-mutilation as a coping mechanism when she was a girl. The visually surreal scenes, which are comprised of both scripted and documentary footage, illustrate the culture Gretchen lives in, her inner life, and various relationships. A number of optical printing techniques and different film stocks were used to create different levels of perception so the viewer might experience Gretchen s story on an emotional or visceral level. The elements of the film are assembled together in attempt to create an understanding of the suicidal mind that goes beyond intellectual knowledge.