Naked World: America Undercover

Naked World is a documentary about a documentarian, Spencer Tunick, who sets up crowds of naked men and women, and photographs them (most often) lying on the cold, wet, rocky ground in well-know locations.

His images are almost anti-erotic, and sometimes clumsy looking. They appear mostly to be noteworthy moments during an event, which is focused on public nudity.

I love nudity, however, the real highlights of this movie were the interviews of those who were photographed.

In particular, I was moved by the HIV+ lady who consoled a sobbing gal who had found being photographed to be a healing experience. I also greatly appreciated the Africa poet, as well as others who addressed racism.

Demian, Sweet Corn Productions

It was 2 in the morning and I couldn't sleep even though I had to wake up in 7 hours. So I put on something called "Naked World" - which my DirecTV described as "An artist asks people to pose nude in the streets." Obviously, I was intrigued.

What I saw was NOT porn at all. Unless you consider 73 year old men standing naked in a field a good turn-on. And then, you have issues.

However, this was actually really good. This artist went around 7 continents (yeah, Antarctica also) and took pictures of random, common people (some good looking, some old, some the anti-supermodel) standing naked, in non-sexual poses.

It wasn't all nudity. It showed culture, reactions, and how everyone is diverse, yet we are all the same. Yeah it kinda had a message. Granted, the 400 people naked in the last scene was a little weird.

If you have time, check it out.

7/10.

The subject of this wonderful documentary, Spencer Tunick, was a surprise when it was shown on cable recently. The controversial artist is seen in an uncanny account of the way he works by the director of the film, Arleene Donnelly Nelson.

We watch as the photographer travels to different countries in order to capture in film humans that pose against impressive backgrounds naked. Mr. Tunick speaks candidly about his ideas and how he goes about it. In interviews we see some of his subjects discussing before hand their ideas and reservations.

It's surprising that Mr. Tunick is able to get the hundreds of people to pose for him "en masse" without so much of a problem. His shoot in front of the Cutty Sark, a London landmark, is one of the best pictures we see in the film. At the same time, it surprises how the Parisian guards of the Louvre come after him when he tried to photograph a naked man in the museum's courtyard with the I.M. Pei pyramid in the background. We are shocked, in a way, because if anyone, in our minds, should be more understanding, would be the French!

The pictures are not pornographic at all! We see ordinary people posing nude, but there is no desire whatsoever to project anything sexual to the would be viewer, in any way. The people posing for Mr. Tunick do so out of their own free will, as no one is pressured to do otherwise.

After watching the film, we get an understanding of the artist and his vision.

I've seen many documentaries and I'd rate this among the best I've seen. Perhaps it does not cover new ground as far as a documentary style, but the pace, photography, and music are excellent. Some people dismiss this piece because of the artist and his work. My vote is for the documentary and is not intended to be a vote regarding his art.

I guess Tunick's work as a photographer will always be controversial. Is it pornography or is it art? May be neither. He does insist though that he does not want to replicate the work of others. He has gone out of his way to create something new...nudes en masse in public places. To use naked human beings thus is certainly original. He crowds thousands of them into his foreground...lying on their backs on cold damp pavements or kneeling with rear ends up. He is evidently trying to invent a new texture. It could be done with a thousand sheep (though difficult to control) but using humans in a public place is daring and adds a touch of eroticism.

Is it a coincidence that in nearly every shot we see in the background an erect structure...a mast, a tower, a steeple or spire?

Some of his experimental photos are better than others. One needs a lot of imagination to accept the prone figures lying haphazardly on the wharf below the "Cutty Sark" as a part of the ocean.. I ask you does it really look like a seascape of rippled water or rocky shore?

The most interesting part of the film is his interviews with people of different cultures and different attitudes inviting them to divest themselves of their clothes for the sake of "art". In his world tour he found the people of Montreal cooperative but not so in France or Japan. Amazingly 4000 turned up in Melbourne (Australia) to bare their bodies in rather bleak weather. Is it something to do with mass hysteria? As for Antarctica the few nudes in that icy region did not look at all relaxed and the penguins were rather perplexed too. It was contrived and senseless. A bare backside perched on an icy ledge has no meaning and verges on the ridiculous.

One soon gets used to the nudity which pervades this film. A number of people are asked why they agreed to be naked in front of the lens. The response in most cases was the same....it gave them a feeling of new found freedom.

Note that in one scene there is a risk of danger in baring one's bottom in a public square. A man hurriedly dons his pants when an unexpected dog appears barking madly!

There is one detail which puzzles me. It's this....how do 4000 people find their clothes again after discarding them in some back alley?

What will Spencer Tunick think of next and how long will this novelty last?