The Dolls of Lisbon

This fast paced documentary covers a lot of territory in a short time. The film includes great animation, stop-camera action and an original soundtrack. About 100 handmade dolls, with a blank canvas covering, were distributed to artists in New York, Portugal, Germany, France, Italy and Equator. Each artist made their doll into a unique piece of art, reflective of their individual artistic style and statement. The film interviews some of the artists in their studios, capturing their struggles and achievements. The artists then came together in Lisbon, Portugal to exhibit their art dolls in an international group show. The film was produced under the auspices of the Antagonist Movement, Inc., a collective of artists, filmmakers and writers based in New York City. It demonstrates what can be achieved by creative people committed to their art and their community of fellow artists. Inspirational and entertaining, this film should be watched by anyone who is an artist, wants to be an artist or simply loves art and good films. People who enjoyed Exit Through the Gift Shop or Style Wars will love this film.

While the documentary genre is among my favorite for films, a lot of art docs out there have failed to impress. This one, however, goes beyond just an art showcase; it has depth and direction. I found myself interested in the people behind the work, not just in the work itself. The film doesn't "glamourize" the art world either, like most others do. It shows the highs and lows of what it actually takes to pull together an art show and work with other artists. It makes you want to learn more about the other projects this group is involved with. The stylistic elements used and the way the film is shot are part of the art as well. The film gives you a real sense of how art exhibits come together, what artists go through and how they view the art world as a whole.

There's so much to like about this film. It's a travelogue of a group of artist/friends who seek out meaning, camaraderie and fun by using art.

It begins as an experiment by the founder of the antagonists art movement, Ethan Minsker and 100 dolls he built out of canvas. The dolls are sent to artists all around the world, collected, curated and shown in an exhibition in Lisbon Portugal.

The results are amazing and some of the dolls and their artists are featured in the narrative and their concepts are explored.

As interesting as this is, what's more interesting is the interplay and among the group of "antagonists " who went on the trip to Lisbon. Their different personalities, approaches, jokes and even disagreements are represented with equal measures of interest and nonjudgmental bents.

It's a gery enjoyable and educational piece which I recommend highly .

Never heard of The Antagonist Art Movement until I became aware of Ethan H Minsker and read his book "Barstool Prophets." (a gem, by the way, which caused me to invest in his first book "Rich Boy Cries For Mamma.") A posse of passionate renegades antagonizing others into making art. Turns out the dude makes a lot of films too, about art and music and all the things I cant get enough of. "The Dolls of Lisbon" follows some party-loving artists to various parts of the globe especially Lisbon where they interact with local artists who have decorated, created, painted canvas & wire dolls that Ethan sewed together in his NYC home. The trip culminates in a wildly successful art festival. These dolls on the prowl are incredible, you will want to make one, too! The film is about art, who is making it, the movement, the creative process, the organizing & promoting of a festival and it is all juxtaposed into one fast, fun gumbo, visually delightful and sonically pleasing and uber cool. Get on it!

It's a hard thing to follow your passion and do what you love, especially when it is seldom financially rewarded. "The Dolls of Lisbon", inspired by the Zapatista Doll figures of Mexico, is an intimate look at the struggling artist in New York City and around the world put together by The Antagonist Movement of NYC. This massive worldwide art project about a small doll with a big idea behind it brings so many lone souls together, and gives you a look at a world that few experience. It is also interesting to find out what so many different minds envision when they look at these blank canvas figures, and how different the end products vary. The great score, 8mm film and stop motion sequences make this a truly unique film about a passionate group of people.