Day For Night are a London based independent film company promoting cultural diversity and accessibility. They work with film festivals, filmmakers and audiences to enable broader access to visual culture. Their interest also expands to poetry, music and the visual arts. This December, between the 4th and 13th,the Nordic Film Festival 2015 presents a series of films including The Fake Case which shadows renowned artist and political activist Ai Weiwei. The documentary opens with:
“Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.” Pablo Picasso
Rosforth and Danish Film Company have produced an 86 minute long documentary on Ai Weiwei, shown on 8th December at the ICA. This film follows Weiwei after being detained for his company’s (Fake Ltd) $2.5 million tax evasion and subsequently let out under house arrest in Beijing. We see how the Chinese authorities have tough views of his art and outspoken nature and also how they use Weiwei’s company’s “tax evasion” as the main cause of his arrest, hence the term Fake Case. Tired yet strong in his determination Weiwei battles for the truth. The documentary is calm, quiet and artistically shot while discussing the dark topic of how the Chinese authorities oppress their citizens and manipulate the law to their own needs.
The film begins with Weiwei being hounded by the press as he is released on bail – he repeatedly states he is unable to comment. Following this we see his daily family life with his wife and young son playing a prominent role in this film. As the documentary continues we listen in on phone calls and Weiwei begins to comment more on the politics of China and how he has been treated. Interspersed with this is Weiwei and his team create sculptures of the prison cell, guards and himself. We get an insight into his political attitudes, influences and art construction simultaneously.
Weiwei’s elderly mother compares how intellectuals were persecuted in her youth and the similarities between his arrest and his father’s. She believes she has indirectly influenced Weiwei by passionately teaching him what is right and wrong. This strong moral stance is how Weiwei lives his life. He fights for what he believes is right. On being interviewed by foreign press (which was breaking his restrictions) he said, “If I don’t show my voice (…) then I’m dead already. This expression is necessary, not only for artists, but any humans to show they’re alive, to speak out, especially to the kind of danger which can effect everybody.”
For such a difficult time in a person’s life, being able to have access to Weiwei’s life on a personal and professional level is not only fascinating but important, because so much of his art is intrinsically linked to politics and, specifically, his life – he actually lives the struggle. His outspoken voice may have gotten him arrested but not being able to have freedom of speech is the real reason he is in this predicament and the reason he will continue to speak out. Whether his art is of interest to you or not, his courage in standing up for his beliefs and for those who also need a voice is to be admired.
This documentary can be followed up by catching the tail end of Ai Weiwei’s exhibition at the RA London. An as a newcomer to the Nordic Film Festival and the Day For Night organisation I’m super impressed and will be seeking out more events to participate in.
Visit www.day-for-night.org/nordic-film-festival for more information.
By Helen Shewry
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