Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis

okay, so we have Jack Smith... Jack who? Jack Smith, yes, the cult director of such movies as 'Flaming Creatures' (in fact, his only complete movie he ever made). you're reading this, probably because you know his style and you want to learn more about who Jack Smith (and, off course, what he did and mad, because a lot of his 'pictures' remain only as pictures somewhere hidden in a vault, carefully put away like the ring in the Lord of the Rings-trilogy). well, you're on the right address with this documentary. it tells us a lot about the sixties and a lot about Jack Smith, but also about the other experimental movie makes, avant-gardists and art directors. but, and here's the but(t), it shows us less movies of Smith as expected, and too much other stuff that has less to do with Smith than his lifestyle. but that isn't so bad, because it shows Smith as he was, just as he wanted movies to portray realities and not the thing we call fiction, but even beyond that. after viewing this excellent documentary, I have a bit of disappointing feeling, the 'magic' is gone, Jack Smith was only a man and not a cult icon. still, he remains more than a man, he stays to be art. art is as important for him, as it is for us. still, I'm glad I watched this.

Highly intelligent and well researched, this film by Mary Jordan and produced by Ken Peralta is the definitive film on Jack Smith. The editing of Jack's art and the art of the film is so well integrated that you not only see the many mediums of Smith but you get a psychological examination of one of the most unknown influences of the 20th century. The 93 minute movie rarely slows down as we see a young mind overflowing with angst and creativity, followed by his influencing of Warhol and later greats like Perry Ferrell and Richard James. I found this in the same special club of great movies like "Crumb" and "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse." A definite must-see for those unaware of Jack Smith's world or well versed in his art.

It's nice to see some of Jack's work collected on screen, but a little bit of research reveals quickly just how inaccurately this film represents the life of the man behind the work. Jack Smith was estranged from his sister from 1953 on, because she couldn't deal with his sexuality. For some reason, Mary Jordan has made this film in close collaboration with that sister. Any person whose family has trouble accepting their sexuality will understand that bizarre distortions of the facts are par for the course, and this documentary engages in that kind of wholesale fiction-making as much as you would expect. It's a shame because Jack Smith deserves attention as a great filmmaker, and deserves attention from those who are ready to accept him as he was: flawed, strange, brilliant, and untamed.

What is the negotiable space between art and commerce? according to Jack Smith there is none. Mary Jordon expertly applies Jack's own free form techniques to a collage portrait of the man his work and it's impact on a popular culture. The film seamlessly flows from blistering indictments of Jack's covetous enemies such as Jonas Menkas and Andy Warhol to moving sentiments from collaborators such as tony Conrad and the reclusive Mario Montez. Jack's own sister provides one of the films more heart wrenching moments in a compassionate declaration she makes towards the films end.

Mary Jordan as a filmmaker embodies the spirit of Jack Smith himself as she bucks typical documentary structure and embraces a more surging and organic approach to story telling. One comes away enlightened, inspired, educated, and moved. More than you'll find at your local multi plexus for sure. the film is currently touring the US and Europe, can be seen at Film Forum in NYC right now and must not be missed by true seekers of truth and purpose in art and life.

Jack Smith may look pale- but thats simply because he's been in the safe too long...

While this documentary is a much-needed portrait of a very interesting artist and individual, it is the archival footage and clips from Jack Smith's own films which make the film valuable. The film itself is somewhat clumsily structured, and the modern-day interviews look like they were shot by a monkey (constant zooming in and out, jerky movement as the camera is moved from side to side on a tripod, unattractive low angles, etc). I would have liked more details on Jack Smith's personal life, and on his youth. Above all, I left the movie theater feeling like I knew more about Jack Smith's films and how the world reacted (or didn't react) to them, but not much more about the man himself. The doc has sound clips of what is presumably Jack Smith speaking running throughout, but it is never made clear where these sound clips come from (were they part of an interview, when was the interview conducted, etc). Still, the film is worth a look for anyone who is a fan of Jack Smith's work and what it stood for.