10. Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (Tamra Davis, 2010)
Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Art: Painting
Basquiat is a fascinating artist of the late seventies, early eighties ‘No Wave’ New York scene which was a golden age in music, film and all sorts of arts. He made music, poetry, drawings and great paintings, knew incredible cool people but died way too early.
9. Marina Abramovi?: The Artist Is Present (Matthew Akers, 2012)
Artist: Marina Abramovi?
Art: Performance
Marina already went extremely far in her performance art, life-threatening-far sometimes. Her history and her 3 months sitting still in the MoMa recently, are featured in this film.
8. Indie Game: The Movie (James Swirsky / Lisanne Pajot, 2012)
Artists: Tommy Refenes (‘Super Meat Boy’), Phil Fish (‘Fez’), Jonathan Blow (‘Braid’)
Art: Games
Independent graphic designers and programmers make clever, small indie games out of their bedrooms, kind of revolutionary actually. Very interesting to see these passionate guys creating so much success on their own. Although, it clearly can be stressful sometimes.
7. Bill Cunningham New York (Richard Press, 2010)
Artist: Bill Cunningham
Art: Street Photography
On his bike through the New York streets, 80 year old Bill photographs people’s clothes and fashion trends for the New York Times. His life is centers around his passion so much that he does not bother much about the rest. That gives him a kind of strange freedom and happiness. Check out the film for more.
6. And Everything Is Going Fine (Steven Soderbergh, 2010)
Artist: Spalding Gray
Art: Monologist, writer
He is a fantastic story teller and this document gives a little bit of insight into his life, his ‘poetic reporting’ and fascination with death.
5. Tim’s Vermeer (Teller, 2013)
Artist: Johannes Vermeer
Art: Painting
Tim is a computer programmer, a mathematical person who thinks in a practical manner. He is fascinated by and praised Vermeer’s painting style for its photographic realism. He develops an ingenious technique to draw this kind of over-detailed and impossible-seeming paintings. Did he discover the key to Vermeer’s masterpieces? Did Vermeer cheat? Or maybe we rather have to admire this cleverness. A different and thought-provoking look into Vermeer’s impressive craft in the 17th century.
4. Marwencol (Jeff Malmberg, 2010)
Artist: Mark Hogencamp
Art: Photography
Mark was an alcoholic, frequenting the local bar many times. One day, he gets beaten up by five men, outside that pub. He falls into a coma and when he wakes, he is a totally different man. He stopped drinking and spends most of his time with his dolls. He made a miniature town, taking place during World War II. His bizarre obsession resulted in fascinating photography.
3. Public Speaking (Martin Scorsese, 2010)
Artist: Fran Lebowitz
Art: Writing
We just see a cocky woman, speaking her mind. She reminds me of Woody Allen in a way. Martin Scorsese is a fan. Me too.
2. Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles (Jon Foy, 2011)
Artist: Severino “Sevy” Verna
Art: Tiles, street art
Like the number one on this list, it’s film about a guy searching for a mythical street artist. This one is known for his tiles with mysterious messages. A crazy, incredible story of an obsession leading to friendship and an adventurous quest.
1. Exit Through the Gift Shop (Banksy, 2010)
Artist: Banksy
Art: Graffiti, street art, pop art
Modern art is a funny thing. I love it, but what makes it so precious? This postmodernist satire exposes many of its flaws and superficiality. A film by Banksy about a filmmaker in search for Banksy but failing to find him… or not? Just watch it, you’ll have incredible fun with this eye- and mind-opener.
