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Virtual Cinema: Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly

Human rights become profoundly personal when Ai Weiwei, China's most famous artist, transforms Alcatraz Island prison into an astonishing expression of socially-engaged art focused on the plight of the unjustly incarcerated. At the core of the installation, called @Large, were portraits of prisoners of conscience coupled with the opportunity to write letters of solidarity to the imprisoned.
(NR, 78 min.)

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Human rights become profoundly personal when Ai Weiwei, China's most famous artist, transforms Alcatraz Island into an astonishing expression of socially-engaged art focused on the plight of the unjustly incarcerated. At the core of the monumental installation were portraits of prisoners of conscience made with Lego blocks, coupled with the opportunity to send letters to prisoners and their families.
[First Run Features]

Starring:Ai, Weiwei Ai, Atteyat Amen Abdel Ghanny
Directors: Cheryl Haines, Gina Leibrecht
Genre: Art, Documentary

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"Powerful! A moving cinematic experience."

— Barbara Pollack, ArtNews

"One of the great films of the year! A near-perfect look at Weiwei’s art installation that took place on Alcatraz Island. Truly magical...a must-see!"

— Steve Kopian, Unseen films

"Inspiring! Highlights the power of the public to make a change in their societies. Seek out this great documentary for its poignant and very relevant message of persevering in your struggle no matter the cost."

— FilmNews UK

"Even for those familiar with Ai and his work, the film’s offerings of fascinating insights into his personal life and an exploration of the stakes of personal freedom make it a worthy viewing experience...it shines."

— Lovia Gyarkye, The New York Times

"A very absorbing and valuable documentary about the creation of this artwork, which relates to Ai’s honourable record of using art as memorialist-activism. Haines's brief, well-made documentary is a very worthwhile guide to this venture, and to Ai Weiwei's own tragic family history."

— Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

"From the meditative, thoughtful pace of the studio footage and interviews, the film builds toward the completed installation which is then explored and explained with a lot of care and detail. It’s all very elegant and informative, and its on-site views are experiential and evocative."

— Shana Nys Dambrot, LA Weekly