Original Schtick is a 1999 documentary film directed by Maciek Wszelaki. It exposes Bob Fischer, an American artist.[1] It debuted at the Melbourne International Film Festival in July 1999 where Fischer was in attendance, turning the post-film question-and-answer session into a spectacle.[2]
| Original Schtick | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Maciek Wszelaki |
| Written by | Peter George Maciek Wszelaki |
| Produced by | Peter George Bronwyne Smith |
| Starring | Bob Fischer |
| Cinematography | Maciek Wszelaki |
| Edited by | Jane Usher |
Running time | 52 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Reception
editAdrian Martin gave it 3 stars stating "Ultimately, Original Schtick is less an investigative documentary than a queasily compelling soap opera. It sticks relentlessly to a video-vérité style poised just a couple of inches from its subjects' mugs, and is strung together in a simple, linear, storytelling style familiar from Rats in the Ranks (1996)."[3] Margaret Pomeranz commenting on The Movie Show said "it`s jaw-droppingly revealing and very clever...Really well shot and directed by Maciej Wszelaki and edited by Jane Usher the documentary is beautifully ironic"[4] Jim Schembri's 3 star capsual review in the Age finished "Very Spinal Tap in flavor, very funny."[5] In the Australian Shane Danielson says "As a study in cultural cringe and personal idiocy, it's priceless. But as an illustration of the bankruptcy of at least some contemporary art, it's invaluable."[6]
Awards
edit- 1999 Australian Film Institute Awards
- Best Direction in a Documentary - Maciek Wszelaki - won[7]
- Best Achievement in Editing in a Non-Feature Film - Jane Usher - won[7]
- Best Documentary - Peter George, Bronwyne Smith - nominated[8]
- Best Achievement in Cinematography in a Non-Feature Film - Maciek Wszelaki - nominated[8]
References
edit- ^ Coslovich, Gabriella (16 July 1999), "The art of giving schtick - Visual arts", The Age
- ^ Coslovich, Gabriella (27 July 1999), "Sparks fly at 'Original Schtick' screening - Film festival", The Age
- ^ Martin, Adrian (September 1999), "Original Schtick", Film Critic: Adrian Martin
- ^ Pomeranz, Margaret (1999), "This exposé follows an American (con) artist on his forest fire tour of Melbourne.", The Movie Show
- ^ Schembri, Jim (1 October 1999), "Schoolyard soulmates - film - new releases", The Age
- ^ Danielson, Shane (4 November 1999), "Portrait of hype as art", The Australian
- ^ a b "Film industry hands out gongs", The Mercury, 15 November 1999
- ^ a b "Film's juicy fruit - Screen debutantes set to steal the AFI show", Illawarra Mercury, 12 November 1999