REVIEW: All Light, Everywhere [2021]

The act of observation obscures the observation. The concept at the back of Theo Anthony‘s documentary All Light, Everywhere shouldn’t be lost on anyone who understands the concept of art itself and the notion that its impact on the viewer is inherently subjective regardless of the artist’s intent. It harkens back to the old joke social studies teachers in middle school use about history being “his story” with historical truth formed by the victors’ eyes. That Anthony draws the through-line straight through our own ability to see as a mechanical…

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TIFF14 REVIEW: Chop My Money [2014]

“This is my photograph for my family” Give a street kid in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo some attention with a camera and he’s going to provide you the type of footage perfectly suited for rockstar treatment. Is Theo Anthony glorifying the deeds of Manu Bahiti “Patient” Jean Christophe, warning us outsiders of the hard life children live hustling, or simply giving an unfiltered glimpse of this new Wild West? Chop My Money is a little of all three in descending order because you know Patient and his crew…

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