User reviews

This film examines the state of depression and how artists use it as fuel for their creativity. It's a quiet look into the depths of loneliness, feelings of desperation and thoughts on being an outcast in the world. These themes are examined across the United States as well as into other countries.

The film offers glimpses ranging from playful, to heart wrenching, to matter of fact takes from all types of artistic viewpoints. It touched me personally because a viewer with a sensitive heart can find themselves in any number of the characters on screen. I purchased, rather than rented this film as it's one of those formats that stays inside you and will eventually call for another look. Highly recommend.

I sought out this film after seeing it mentioned in the back of Ethan's Psycho Moto Zine, and thinking, dang, this guy does a lot! He writes books, publishes a zine, and makes movies (?!)

It turns out he's also a founding member of the Antagonist Art Collective, which as I gathered was a sprawling movement dedicated to the idea that you should probably make something, like, NOW, and invite (or bully) your friends into doing the same. This film follows many members of the group, from its spawning place in NYC to Europe and South America. We get a look at some artists who make great work and are passionate about what they do, and that's inspiring!

If you like this film, I'd check out Man in Camo, a newer autobiography by Ethan, as well as Beautiful Losers (2008, Aaron Rose/Joshua Leonard)

This doc is a nice portrait of what it takes to put together art-related events and what it means to "do" art in NYC (and other places). Whether you're into art or not though, there are enough interesting characters in the film that you'd be engaged in the story anyway. The artists in it are certainly an eclectic group—some funny, some oddballs, all with plenty of personality. It's cool though to hear an honest account of what it feels like to have your artwork seen and appreciated. And also the flip side, of what it feels like to struggle to get your stuff out there. It's not like downbeat "poor me" whiny artists though. It features artists who have had varying degrees of success, most of whom are happy just to have the chance to create and have art be part of their lives.

It's only recently that I've really become involved in the arts scene in New York, so I watched this for educational purposes. I think a lot of outsiders don't realize all the leg work involved in putting together art events and movements, and I appreciate that this movie doesn't gloss over the more difficult parts of pursuing art as a career. It really captures the peaks and pitfalls of having your work seen by other people, and the struggle to make it accessible to the public. It also captures the eccentricities of these artistic circles. Characters welcome. It's nice to see people speaking frankly about what it's like to be an artist.