Earthwork

Stan Herd is a Kansas farmer out to show the art world that he can make it in New York. He faces countless obstacles on his journey. He also finds support and friendship among the homeless men who help him. He in turn gives them hope and purpose. The film explores the mind and determination of an artist.

I ran home after this viewing and looked up all of the actors as they made quite an impression on me. Some I recognized and some were completely new. I must admit that I didn't recognize John Hawkes at all from his role in "Winter's Bone". It's a nice contrast and I look forward to seeing him in more movies.

Jeff Daniels was amazing and although her role was small, Laura Kirk's portrayal of Janis Herd was memorable.

This small independent film is a must see.

I saw this film with my 3 sisters at the Kansas International Film Festival in Overland Park last week. We loved it. We had no real idea of what the movie would be and I thought it was to be documentary. The director and one actor (I believe most of the actors were Kansans) were available for a Q&A and we learned that the artist has made his living from his art without ever having to take another job. The characters he met in NYC are endearing and are based on actual people, I think. He has done art in several countries. It was interesting to see how his vision was translated into a work of art although we never got to see it. During the credits, however, there are shots of some of the art he has created and it is lovely. I liked the movie a lot.

This is an excellent film about art and the artist. In this case, Stan Herd, a man compelled to make temporary works of art from mother nature using plants, rocks, timber, and his remarkable vision. The best parts of the film are John Hawkes as Stan Herd and the actual earthwork art. The supporting cast have many great moments. I would rate it higher if the art made more appearances during the movie, because they are awe inspiring.

The set they recreated of the graffiti wall and grassy lot - looked identical to the original location footage in New York City. I would never have known it was shot in Kansas. There were times when the movie felt boxed in, because the filmmakers were limited to shooting in one direction - at the wall set piece.

I was struck by the film story. The fragile nature of the actual earthwork process, the complete commitment to realizing the installation against all odds: a fraying marriage, rupturing finances, a lack of real community support both back in Kansas and then on the Upper West Side of Manhatten. It is David and Goliath, with David's currency dissipating like so much sand leaking from a bag into the wind. All this against the harsh glare of New York City, huge corporate interests, the fickleness of the national media - all carried on a story line about a vulnerable family dynamic, a profound message of hope and a poignancy about a vulnerable planet, the challenge of conveying a message of sustainability and an example of respecting the earth and all that it is asked to do for us. I was very moved by the film and feel it's message is very strong and hopeful and needs to be heard by a very broad audience.

I saw this film in a private showing and enjoyed it. I am predisposed to like indie films and this one did not disappoint. The story contained drama, heartbreak and wonderful interactions between the characters; and believe me, they were characters. The events will have you saying "You can't make this stuff up". Fact truly is stranger than fiction.

It was interesting to see John Hawkes as an entirely different character than the one he played in "Winter's Bone". He is a chameleon. James McDaniel was memorable as "Lone Wolf" and Laura Kirk played the long suffering wife with delicacy and grace.