The Dolls of Lisbon

This movie follows the mounting of an international art project spearheaded by the art group, The Antagonist Movement. It features interviews with artists of multiple national backgrounds who all have at least one thing in common - the overwhelming drive to make art, even at the cost of a more traditional and predictable life.

The project itself is fascinating - The Antagonist Movement sent blank canvas dolls to artists all over the world with the instructions to change them however they wanted to. The results are wildly different, and show a wide variety of artistic visions. It's a must see for all artists and art lovers, and it also features an awesome soundtrack.

There's so much to like about this film. It's a travelogue of a group of artist/friends who seek out meaning, camaraderie and fun by using art.

It begins as an experiment by the founder of the antagonists art movement, Ethan Minsker and 100 dolls he built out of canvas. The dolls are sent to artists all around the world, collected, curated and shown in an exhibition in Lisbon Portugal.

The results are amazing and some of the dolls and their artists are featured in the narrative and their concepts are explored.

As interesting as this is, what's more interesting is the interplay and among the group of "antagonists " who went on the trip to Lisbon. Their different personalities, approaches, jokes and even disagreements are represented with equal measures of interest and nonjudgmental bents.

It's a gery enjoyable and educational piece which I recommend highly .

This was a really really well done documentary on a really under-done subject. And why?? I don't the hell know! Art, artists and especially the passion of New York City artists in particular should render interest in any creative person. Artists continue to create despite societal circumstances. This movie shows this reality. It defines the Antagonist Movement, as an anti-establishment, underground, almost anarchist movement, reminding me of Andre the Giant sticker phenomenon of the late 80's in NYC. The more you see the repetition of the image...the better. This then leads to the symbolism of the Doll itself. Repetition breeds familiarity. So if the mass market can blast us, why can't the underground movement do it as well? Blast those Dolls! I think that Minsker and his posse just want to get their art out there. They want to be recognized. They want people to know that they continue to create in spite of it all. Lets not forget the plight of the artist! Thank you Minsker and the Antagonists for this important cause. The film itself was a work of art too. Collaged together, beautifully edited, and with a kick-ass soundtrack. Nicely done!

As someone who loves both dolls and art, perhaps I am a little biased, but I think that this documentary definitely deserves more attention than it got. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys art documentaries. I had a natural affinity for the central motif of the film, the blank canvas dolls that were given to artists all over the world, and I enjoyed seeing how each artist brough the dolls to life in their own distinctive way. A major theme of Minsker's work is this idea of community and the importance of being there for people, and this documentary really exemplifies the power of artists supporting artists.

Never heard of The Antagonist Art Movement until I became aware of Ethan H Minsker and read his book "Barstool Prophets." (a gem, by the way, which caused me to invest in his first book "Rich Boy Cries For Mamma.") A posse of passionate renegades antagonizing others into making art. Turns out the dude makes a lot of films too, about art and music and all the things I cant get enough of. "The Dolls of Lisbon" follows some party-loving artists to various parts of the globe especially Lisbon where they interact with local artists who have decorated, created, painted canvas & wire dolls that Ethan sewed together in his NYC home. The trip culminates in a wildly successful art festival. These dolls on the prowl are incredible, you will want to make one, too! The film is about art, who is making it, the movement, the creative process, the organizing & promoting of a festival and it is all juxtaposed into one fast, fun gumbo, visually delightful and sonically pleasing and uber cool. Get on it!