The Brezinski Project

Thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating look back at the 1980s NY art scene featuring a cast of eclectic, amusing and wildly differing personalities from that time including the big names. Why hadn't I been aware of this artist, Brezinski, contemporary of Basquiat and other stellar household names? Would have enjoyed even more if we had dwelt a little longer on some of the stills, just to take everything in. The East Village was fabulously evoked 5ough - how times have changed! Happy to see its' London run has been rightfully extended with showings at the ICA and hoping it will hit a streaming platform in the coming months. Definitely recommend if you have any kind of interest in that era.

This is a fascinating journey, a cautionary tale of sorts into the mind of an obscure artist who came of age in the 70s and 80s. Punk. New expressionism(is that the term?). The pre gentrified east village. Rock and roll. Crack houses. It's all alive here. We feel his desperate need to be discovered, to be respected the story is told through amazing old video footage and in new interviews through the eyes of friends and associates many who have became successful artists (some household names). The movie sprawls (in a good way) as we watch his tragic descent. All this comes at you with a constant montage of late 20th century modern art (by the subjects) woven into the images. And then a mystery must be solved. It's a beautiful film, a strange film, that cradles the viewer as he descends down the east village rabbit hole with the subject. All this with a beautiful score that keeps it all so alive.

I very much enjoyed this film, learning a lot about the artist (who also happens to be from my hometown), as well as the somewhat outlier artist scene of 1980s lower east side NYC. The way Brezinki's supposed friends/fellow artists and others in the art community remember him is at times hilarious. And the lengths that Brezinski himself would go to to receive recognition was surprising. The story held my interest and I didn't expect it, but this film took me through the full range of emotions regarding a topic that I didn't know I was interested in. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and actually hope to see it again.

This documentary gives us a glimpse of something we don't see quite as often -- a talented artist who doesn't "make it" by his standards and who doesn't pull off a triumph at the end. The story is still inspiring and offers a fun look at the East Village art scene in the early 1980s. I also enjoyed the mystery the director created in the middle part of story. It hits all the right emotional beats.

The people interviewed in the documentary are often very funny characters themselves. Though, there does seem to be a gap in intimacy, as in knowing Brezenski beyond his ambition. And maybe that falls on Brezenski's relentless drive and passion for art.

Terrific interviews from colleagues of a tortured artist, looking for fame. Excellent archival footage, colorful eccentrics, and a sharp sense of humor tell a cautionary tale about the desire to be recognized and the dangers of finding self-worth in an era of decadence and degradation. Vincent explores the East Village art scene through the lens and words of the people that lived it. Egos and oils collide in a wonderful score that paces the story well. If you want to see the hardships of being a starving artist, a desperate artist, a brilliant artist- check out this doc. The ghost of Brezinski thanks you...perhaps.