I watched Mary Jordan's documentary about Jack Smith yesterday. I had read some reviews about it before, both good and bad, and after seeing it, I have to say I agree with the later.
"Jack Smith..." to me failed as a documentary: it is more of a hagiography. Smith's works and life are treated in a rather superficial way, without really delving in what must have been a complex personality. At some times the montage even manipulates the information, like a propaganda work; the information is usually presented one-sided (the Mekas segment, the "lobster", etc...). Strangely enough, Ken Jacobs only appears in a handful of scenes and there is no mention of their work together.
Have you seen it? What are your thoughts about it?
I watched Mary Jordan's documentary about Jack Smith yesterday. I had read some reviews about it before, both good and bad, and after seeing it, I have to say I agree with the later.
"Jack Smith..." to me failed as a documentary: it is more of a hagiography. Smith's works and life are treated in a rather superficial way, without really delving in what must have been a complex personality. At some times the montage even manipulates the information, like a propaganda work; the information is usually presented one-sided (the Mekas segment, the "lobster", etc...). Strangely enough, Ken Jacobs only appears in a handful of scenes and there is no mention of their work together.
Have you seen it? What are your thoughts about it?
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