A documentary about graffiti artists from around the world, featuring NZ's own Askew.
Alter Ego goes around the world's major cities - including LA, Berlin, New York, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong - and into the lives of the artists and designers behind the written identities, who walk the fine line of art and vandalism. They talk about their backgrounds, motivation, what graffiti is and what it means to them.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
Graffiti is the most modern, urban art form doing the rounds despite its maligned cultural status. This documentary takes a shot at legitimizing its social worth while getting to know some of its most well known practitioners on a whirlwind trip around the globe.
The artworks themselves are wonderful and the history lesson behind the form’s growth is engrossing. Montages are underscored by hip-hop while tricky MTV style camera techniques are thankfully kept to a minimum so that the artworks and their creators can speak for themselves. It’s a documentary that knows how to do the basics, but gets a little lost when it tries to delve into the details, seemingly afraid to go into too much depth.
Occasionally it seems as if an interesting topic, like the role of the art within the context of a particular city, is going to be explored, only to be brushed off after a catchy sound bite. The doco seems most concerned with building an outlaw aura but, through no fault of the artists, they just as often seem cliquey as rebellious. Great to see local artist Askew featured, though.
Playing before it is the short film Salt, a documentary about a photographer in the Australian salt plains, which features surreal time lapse photography and eye-catching landscapes.
By Andreas Heinemann, Flicks.co.nz
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 21st May 2009.
Release date: May 21st 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
