Kusama: Infinity is a 2018 American biographical documentary film that chronicles the life and art of Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, now one of the best-selling artists in the world, who overcame sexism, racism, and a stigma of mental illness to achieve international recognition relatively late in her career.[2][3] Magnolia Pictures released the film on September 7, 2018.[4][5]
| Kusama: Infinity | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Heather Lenz |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | Yayoi Kusama |
| Cinematography | Hideaki Itaya, Ken Kobland, Hart Perry |
| Edited by | Keita Ideno |
| Music by | Allyson Newman |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Magnolia Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $360,931[1] |
The documentary was directed, written, and produced by Heather Lenz, co-written by Keita Ideno, and produced by David Braun, David Koh, and Karen Johnson.[6]
Awards
editThe film was nominated in the "Best First-Time Director" category in the 3rd Critics' Choice Documentary Awards at BRIC Arts Media.[7] The film also competed in the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and San Diego Asian Film Festival.
Reception
editAllison Shoemaker of RogerEbert.com gave the movie three stars, stating that "As a study of an artist who, in the film’s telling, was nearly always ahead of the curve, it’s a surprisingly traditional approach. But Lenz’s frank, admiring approach adds a sense of clarity that gives the film an undeniable potency. Here is what she made, it says; is it not wondrous? Here is the hand she was dealt, it says; is it not unjust?"[8]
Robert Abele of Los Angeles Times noted "Mostly, Lenz is committed to showing as much of Kusama’s considerable output as possible, often lovingly panned over with an admiring camera. Think an exhibition program at 24 frames a second. But “Kusama – Infinity” is also a genuinely felt portrait of the artist as a dedicated survivor, ever in service to her vision of the world and fighting for her place in it. And while Kusama-mania currently seems as endless as one of her colorful, pattern-rich artscapes, the artist herself soldiers on, one dot at a time."[9]
Chloe Schama of Vogue noted: "In fact, if Kusama: Infinity has any underlying agenda it would be to position the almost 90-year-old artist as not just an original but a feminist original. Set against her biography, it’s a compelling case. At almost every turn, Kusama rejected the conventional choice... The film skims somewhat over how Kusama returned to prominence, perhaps because it’s so hard to think of why she retreated in the first place, so ubiquitous, lauded, and recognizable is her work today. The forces behind Kusama: Infinity probably realized they didn’t have to strain too hard to make the case for this singular, brilliant artist. She’d already made it for herself."[10]
Contributors
editSee also
edit- Mondo New York, a 1988 film about Manhattan performance artists
References
edit- ^ "Kusama: Infinity (2018) - Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (5 October 2018). "Kusama: Infinity review – colourful art doc connects the dots". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "NZIFF: Kusama – Infinity". New Zealand International Film Festival. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "Kusama: Infinity (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (6 September 2018). "Review: 'Kusama — Infinity' Gives an Artist Her Due". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ "Kusama-Infinity | Magnolia Pictures | In Theaters September 7". Kusama: Infinity: Story | Magnolia Pictures. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ^ Tapley, Kristopher (15 October 2018). "'Free Solo' Leads 2018 Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ Shoemaker, Allison (September 11, 2018). "Kusama - Infinity Movie Review (2018) | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ Abele, Robert (September 5, 2018). "Review: Doc 'Kusama — Infinity' splashes an inspiring portrait of colorful Japanese artist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ SCHAMA, CHLOE (September 7, 2018). "Kusama: Infinity Makes the Case for the Japanese Artist as a Feminist Force". Vogue. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
