In 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.
"A near-perfect look at
Ai Weiwei’s art. Truly magical...a must-see!" -Steve Kopian, Unseen Films
Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly begins with the story of how Weiwei’s father received an anonymous postcard while in exile as a dissident poet in the 1950s, and how this one small act of humanity had a profoundly moving and transformational impact on both father and son.
This, along with Weiwei's 2011 detention by Chinese authorities, became the inspiration for his revolutionary exhibition@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz, a monumental presentation of new artworks addressing the struggle for fundamental human rights. At the core of the installation were portraits of prisoners of conscience coupled with the opportunity to write postcards of solidarity to the imprisoned. By the time the exhibition ended, over 90,000 postcards had been sent around the globe.
In her impassioned and powerful film, director Cheryl Haines captures this monumental exhibition from conception to fruition, and as well visits current and former prisoners, including American whistleblower Chelsea Manning, to learn how these letters were vital to their survival.
"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
"Powerful! A moving cinematic experience." - Barbara Pollack, ArtNews
"Meditative and thoughtful...elegant and informative...experiential and evocative. It deepens our understanding of Ai Weiwei’s process, material choices, and intentions...but it’s the last part, the interviews with freed prisoners of conscience and/or their families, that really touch the heart." - Shana Nys Dambrot, LA Weekly
