The Group of Seven and Tom Thompson's star has been rising for a while in the art market and the art world in general. It is time for a good documentary on their work and vision. This is barely it. First the good stuff: it is quite interesting that this group goes around following the steps of the painters in the Algoma and North Shore of Lake Superior. Their purpose: to make a photography book where they contrast the artists work with the actual locations, some of them hard to reach. They seem to have done their research well. The scenery is breathtaking indeed as something you would see in the Ontario Tourism Board. For the not so good: An art documentary should take exquisite care to film the artworks themselves in crisp glorious detail. This doc resolution can't handle the big screen where it belongs. It contains a great amount of close-ups of the impasto on the boards (not always canvas as they say) which is a treat in itself but the paintings lack context and read more like a slide show. There is some footage of re-enactors dressed in period clothing etc that is totally superfluous. It would have been much better to either do a proper re-enactment with consistent performers or none at all and replace it with footage of the actual painters and a bit more background on their stories. There is a conservation and art education agenda which is an excellent effort but it is delivered mostly by the wild-eyed female collaborator in a gushy repetitive tone that is off-putting. How many times is she going to say "the land" in that reverential new-age tone only a geologists should adopt. The art students joining the expedition offers some slightly cringe-worthy moment as they display a natural but complete lack of understanding of the painting process (Why not use the tools given to the re-enactors?). The students mimic the campers emphasizing the calmness and soundtrack of the forest and the deep breathing as if this was yoga. Never mind plein air studies require a concentrated effort and intensity that they seem oblivious to and is clearly absent in the results. Fair enough, they are young, the film makers are not painters, but why not let the educational experience speak for itself without dragging students into it as in any old Public Service Advert. why not let "the land" speak for itself and tuck the conservation agenda with some actionable advice or none at all? So go in for the scenery, make plans to visit the area and avoid late summer or you'll have to fight the tourists. Better yet, get the book.
