Director: Jeffrey Durkin
MPAA Rating: NR
If you’re setting out to make a documentary about art, you’d be wise to follow Jeffrey Durkin’s lead and make sure that the caliber of your film’s visuals match that of art being depicted. Everything in Durkin’s Art as a Weapon, a short but stunningly beautiful 76-minute doc, is meticulously shot and framed to perfection. A film about art should look artful, and this film excels on all fronts.
Focusing on the street art movement in Burma, the film explores the idea of street art as a form of non-violent protest and reinforces the fact that people can use art as a tool for creating change. Art as a Weapon opens on a school in Burma that teaches young students the concepts of street art, where kids learn the fundamentals of stenciling, graffiti and wheat pasting while nurturing their creativity. It also follows famed street artist Shepard Fairey as he works on new pieces to help promote the democratic movement in Darfur. (One of Fairey’s claims to fame is the infamous “Hope” poster for President Obama’s democratic presidential run.)
Art as a Weapon is a fascinating case study on the positive effects art can have on struggling populations. And for viewers not well versed in this culture, the film smartly breaks down the core fundamentals of street art and will hopefully reach those who view public art as vandalism or somehow unequal to art that hangs in galleries.
One of the only aspects of this film that is lacking is exposition of the actual reason behind this movement in Burma. While many know of the atrocities happening in that country, some may not know the gravity of the situation. This isn’t a film that should dive into long-winded diatribes over the tyrannical government, but a bit more exposition may help viewers.
As a strong proponent of street art and someone who has had an interest street art movement for some time now, this is a documentary that I found both personally and philosophically fascinating. It’s inspiring, beautifully shot and carries a positive message. With so many documentaries taking place in war-torn countries, it’s refreshing to see a film come out that reminds us that, yes, things can get better. Art as a Weapon is one of my favorite docs this year, and I highly recommend checking it out. From the score and title cards to the hypnotic camerawork and stunning street art, this is simply a beautiful film to watch.
Art as a Weapon Trailer from BREADTRUCK TV on Vimeo.
