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Deep Dive: The Cure for Insomnia (1987)

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The Cure for Insomnia
The Cure for Insomnia is a 1987 experimental film directed by John Henry Timmis IV. It is recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest running film, with a runtime of 5,220 minutes, equivalent to 87 hours. The film does not follow a traditional narrative structure; instead, it features artist L. D. Groban reading his 4,080-page poem A Cure for Insomnia. The reading is interspersed with clips from heavy metal and pornographic videos, creating a unique viewing experience that challenges conventional filmmaking. The film was first shown in its entirety at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from January 31 to February 3, 1987, in a continuous screening. Despite its record-setting length, The Cure for Insomnia has not been released on DVD or any home video formats, and all known copies are considered lost, with only 85 seconds of footage currently available.

Why Watch

  • •See L. D. Groban's 4,080-page poem come to life.
  • •Find out what a 87-hour film looks like.
  • •Meet the longest running film in history.

Did You Know

•The film runs for 5,220 minutes, or 87 hours and 15 minutes.
•L. D. Groban's poem read in the film consists of 4,080 pages.
•The film was first shown at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from January 31 to February 3, 1987.
•Only 85 seconds of the film are currently available to view.

Perfect For

Experimental film enthusiastsPerformance art fansRecord-breaking cinema