If you are or have ever been a fan of Jim Henson, Being John Malkovich, the Coen brothers, Julie Taymor’s The Lion King, Paul Giamatti or really any kind of puppets made for children or adults, you must see this documentary. It’s a whole lot more moving and enlightening than it sounds.
CINEMATECA PORTUGUSESA - MUSEU DO CINEMA
Sala M. Félix Ribeiro
22 May at 9.30pm (Monday)
Portuguese Premiere
Documentary, 74m, 2010
Director, producer, editor: David Soll With: Dan Hurlin, Matt Acheson, Eric Wright, Chris Green, Tom Lee, Darius Mannino, Janie Geiser, Eileen Blumenthal Producers: Jared Ian Goldman, Hannah Rosenzweig Associate producer: Andrew Schwartztol Director of photography: Mark Rasmussen Music: Paul Trubachik Production: Burnside Films Language: English For audiences over: +12
TICKETS ONLINE
TICKETS ONLINE
A fascinating study of American puppetry’s fraught history, from marginalisation as children’s theatre to sudden explosion in popularity as high art. Interviews with practicing artists, historians, theorists and theater professionals cover a range of theoretical approaches to American puppetry.
David Soll’s film also tracks the making of New York puppeteer Dan Hurlin’s production Disfarmer, based on the life of eccentric, Depression-era Arkansas photographer, Mike Disfarmer. The result is a comprehensive look at the American puppetry scene.
"A revelation! The more the process is revealed, the more miraculous it appears."
- Ronnie Scheib, Variety
"We need films like Puppet and artists like Hurlin to remind us that puppeteering is a magical act that can reflect honestly upon the human condition."
- Leslie-Stonebraker, New York Press
"If you are a fan of Being John Malkovich, you must see this documentary (...) Puppet is a rich and actually quite moving documentary
- Indiewire’s Spout
"Elegant (...) is a far more rewarding exploration of creation."
- Eric Hynes, Village Voice
"Puppet’ - By far my favorite entry in the Metropolis competition is this film about the art of puppetry — a little of its history and discussions of its current attempt at a major renaissance and the critical obstacles against such — as well as a specific look at the making of a 2009 puppet theater production titled Disfarmer. If you are or have ever been a fan of Jim Henson, Being John Malkovich’ the Coen brothers, Julie Taymor’s The Lion King, Paul Giamatti or really any kind of puppets made for children or adults, you must see this documentary. It’s a whole lot more moving and enlightening than it sounds.”
- Christopher Campbell, Moviefone Cinematical
BIO
David Soll directed the feature documentary Puppet, which has screened theatrically worldwide, broadcast nationally in the US and is distributed by The Cinema Guild. His recent short film, Silo, is a Vimeo Staff Pick and premiered as the opening night film for BAMcinematek’s Movies with a View series. It's been featured in a range of outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, Short of the Week and Gizmodo. David created television ads for President Barack Obama's national campaigns in 2008 and 2012 and for Secretary Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. He has directed, produced and edited advertising for numerous Democratic candidates, progressive organizations and social enterprises including The Ad Council, FINCA International, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the MasterCard Foundation. He has worked as an editor for MGM and ABC, an online and effects editor for Sony Pictures, and his advertising work has been recognized with numerous Telly and Polly awards. He has received support from Cinereach, MacDowell Colony, IFP Filmmaker Labs and IFP Emerging Storytellers.
David graduated summa cum laude from New York University where he studied political philosophy.
David graduated summa cum laude from New York University where he studied political philosophy.
Puppet from David Soll on Vimeo.
