The American dream is a pursuit for many, but the reality of its grandeur can often be a sobering experience. True to their mission of delivering unconventional stories from forgotten faces, Pace Films has returned to that proven ground with Art, a Laotian immigrant who calls the streets of Santa Barbara home.
Just like with their hit documentary Kenny, director Stacey Stone and producer Diane Mellen are keen on getting out of their comfort zones and pursuing a side of the United States most outsiders, and even some locals, may never get to experience. Art hails from the small South Asian country of Laos and now pushes his cart full of essentials through the pavements of California, living off whatever he can forage. Through an abundance of B-roll and an interview, Stone and Mellen once again try to zero in on the individual before pulling away to showcase the bigger picture. Only this time, it feels a little been-there-done-that, a surface-level exploration that perhaps needed more context.
Perhaps too limited by its lack of a clear-cut narrative structure, the documentary lacks a solid narrative hook for viewers to latch onto. Art is a simple man, kicking a soccer ball and admiring the little things around him, and the questions he asked do only the bare minimum to reveal his personality. And yet Art still manages to be a viable presence on screen. Everything from the large tree branch he carries around to his beanie oozes personality. If anything, his story would work terrifically as an episodic series, a collection of experiences shared by the homeless of Santa Barbara and beyond. But as a standalone 11-minute film, it falls just short of mustering intrigue for one single person, or even digging deep enough to reveal more. The short also lacks quality sound design, which largely causes Art’s dialogue being inconsistent and can sometimes seem muffled. On the other hand, Will and Jason Fiedtkou’s score is exceptional.
Though not particularly hard-hitting with its coverage, those familiar with the work of Pace Films will definitely find Art a pleasant return to the slyly optimistic, yet gritty documentary style they champion.
