FilmSnobReviews

Title: Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Cheryl Haines
Starring: Ai Wei Wei
Runtime: 1 hour, 16 minutes

What It Is: Activist artist Ai Wei Wei creates an inspiring artistic display on the island of Alcatraz. Meant to bring attention to the dozens of Dissident political leaders across the globe, it allows visitors an insight into the fights for freedom and equality happening all over the world.

What We Think: This documentary is one of several centered around inspiring artist Ai Wei Wei. His beautiful works of art that define current social activism are inspiring enough to warrant multiple films, but it is through director Cheryl Haines’s lens that we see the humanitarian use of his gift.

His 2014 art gala is a multi-part, interactive constructive vision sprawled across Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. From Refraction; a massive bird’s wings constructed of metal from solar cookers from Tibet, to the Lego portraits in Trace, the pieces are meant to not only to grab the eye but the heart and mind as it brings to light incarcerated activists across the globe. Activists such as Ahmed Maher, who’s story and release are featured in the film as a testament to the power of the attention brought forth from simply attending the event. The art show continued its education by offering postcards, pre-addressed, to the attendees so that they may offer support to those that struggle daily in the battle for humanity. It is through Ai Wei Wei’s gifts that the patrons are exposed to the world beyond, and through Haines’s eyes that now the world has access to his true impact.

Our Grade: B+, The film is educational, more so to those not privy to Ai Wei Wei’s strong political voice and exceptional artistic touch. It falls short of having the force of Wei Wei’s art itself but it serves the purpose of bringing attention to an amazing man. Ai Wei Wei continues his work in exile from his home country so it is expected that more will come forth from this man. Here’s hoping Cheryl Haine’s work tribute brings needed attention to the other featured activists as well.