Another movie coming out this weekend that we sadly didn’t have the time to write much in advance about: the documentary, “Beautiful Losers,” which was lovingly scored by sometimes Beastie Boy collaborator/keyboardist Money Mark, utilizing many songs from his very sweet, and childlike 1998 pop album, Push the Button, that fit the mood and tone rather winningly (Cat Power has a few songs in the doc as well).
Directed by Aaron Rose, the film features a loose-knit group of like minded underground outsiders artists and features appearances by agit-prop designer Shepard Fairey, professional skater Ed Templeton, San Fransican folk artist Margaret Kilgallen, graffiti artist Barry McGee, Jo Jackson, childlike painter Chris Johanson, filmmaker and graphic designer Geoff McFetridge, director Mike Mills (“Thumbsucker”), Stephen Powers, director Harmony Korine (“Kids”), painter Thomas Campbell and many more.
Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.
If you’re feeling cynical, you’re probably thinking they’re all trustfund babies that refuse to grow up, but the documentary shows anything but, and depicts an idiosyncratic, but concurringly sensitive and thoughtful group of aesthete with a genuine desire to communicate and express themselves deeply and personally through their art. And all of them have charted their own paths in the face of most commercial concerns, but strangely enough the mainstream has always reached out to them.
Many of them almost sound wildly naive initially, but they’re so committed; their creativity so unbridled they win over even the largest prick pessimist; particularly director Mike Mills who is so damn guileless and positive that he’s completely inspiring, and well represents all the artists overall charm. It’s great to see a group of people that would father fail spectacularly than not try at all. It’s a genuinely solid documentary that you should make the effort to track down as its in limited release only so far. Big thumbs up. [A]
Trailer: Beautiful Losers”
