I quote interviews from this documentary all of the time. So very interesting to learn how different countries react to nudity. It’s an age restricted video so you’ll need to watch it directly on YouTube.
See this Movie
In the Realms of the Unreal
I’ve been looking for this documentary about the work of Henry Darger for some time. I saw it in the theater when it was first released and it changed the way I looked at creative process and audience.
From Wikipedia:
Henry Joseph Darger Jr. (/ˈdɑːrɡər/; April 12, 1892 – April 13, 1973) was an American writer, novelist and artist who worked as a hospital custodian in Chicago, Illinois. He has become famous for his posthumously discovered 15,145-page fantasy novel manuscript called The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What Is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion, along with several hundred drawings and watercolor illustrations for the story.
The visual subject matter of his work ranges from idyllic scenes in Edwardian interiors and tranquil flowered landscapes populated by children and fantastic creatures, to scenes of horrific terror and carnage depicting young children being tortured and massacred. Much of his artwork is mixed media with collage elements. Darger’s artwork has become one of the most celebrated examples of outsider art.
Circus Person
I’ve been getting the recommendation to watch Severance for months now. I finally gave in and now am in agony having to wait for season 2. There are so many reasons to love the show, but one of most mesmerizing assets comes in the lead performance by Britt Lower. Charismatic, surprising, heartbreaking. She is at once a movie star and indie koo-koo bird. She carries us through a brand new moral concept and grounds it in such human familiarity that we step right onto the roller coaster and go for the same pioneering ride that the characters do.
Britt has written, directed, produced, and starred in this short film, Circus Person. It’s a glimpse into the depth of this artist and what contributions are to come.
“I first encountered circus-life while travelling the Midwest festival circuit with my mother as a face-painting duo. While on breaks from turning kids into creatures, I marvelled at the vagabond artist lifestyle and found there is nowhere more inclusive than among circus-folks. Emboldened by their sense of resilience and community, I felt it was the perfect backdrop for a story about radical self-love and facing heartbreak with wild abandon. Circus Person is my directorial debut and I am so humbled to share it with the world, thanks to our entire film-circus. Neither a movie, nor a circus, can be built alone—and I was lucky to receive the company of masterful artists. Their talents are equalled by the wide-openness of their hearts.”
– Britt Lower
I Dood It
I first saw this rope dance during a preshow entertainment at a drive-in. It’s hard to imagine how this combination of talent came to be featured so impressively. Tapping in cowboy boots AND roping.
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON
There’s going to be a Marcel the Shell movie! In preparation, it’s worth revisiting (or seeing for the 1st time) the original short. It’s a live-action/animated comedy short featuring the voice of comedian Jenny Slate.
Valhalla
In case you haven’t heard or seen, the new Sweetgrass Productions ski movie, Valhalla, includes some impressive naked skiing footage. We’re not just talking sunny day groomers either. These guys and gals are living it up off-piste and in the pow.
In the words of co-director, Nick Waggoner, …”I’m in my twenties goddammit, and this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Not e-mailing.”